How much microclover to add to lawn - Ask Extension
Hello,
I would like to try adding micro clover to an established lawn. The lawn is maintained for me and will be aerated and seeded in the fall. I ...
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How much microclover to add to lawn #879573
Asked July 31, 2024, 11:33 AM EDT
Hello,
I would like to try adding micro clover to an established lawn. The lawn is maintained for me and will be aerated and seeded in the fall. I requested of the company that they add microclover when they do, and they have agreed that they will but have to apply grass seed first and then go back and apply the microclover seed.
I have to purchase the seed since they don’t normally do this, and I am wondering how much to buy. My lawn is 4,000 sq ft according to the company. They suggest 50% of the amount of grass seed required.
Can you assist me in determining how much is needed based on a 4,000 established lawn?
Thank you.
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
There are pros and cons to microclover, which you can read about in our Maryland Grows blog:
https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2023/05/11/qa-pros-and-cons-of-the-no-mow-may-movement/
You will want to buy one of the tested microclover varieties mentioned.
Typically, the recommend seeding rate for turf-type tall fescue is 6-8 lbs./1000 ft2. Research indicates that to obtain a good mixture of turf-type tall fescue and microclover, where neither species dominates, 3-5% by weight of microclover should be mixed with the tall fescue seed. Thus, if a seeding rate of 6 lbs. tall fescue per 1000 ft2 is used, approximately 0.2 to 0.3 pounds of microclover should be mixed with the 6 lbs. of tall fescue.
These pages can explain more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lawns-and-microclover/
https://www.mdturfcouncil.org/resources/Documents/TT%20Bulletins/TT-
121%20Microclover%20_%20Tall%20Fescue%20Lawns%20in%20the%20Mid-Atlantic.pdf
Christine
https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2023/05/11/qa-pros-and-cons-of-the-no-mow-may-movement/
You will want to buy one of the tested microclover varieties mentioned.
Typically, the recommend seeding rate for turf-type tall fescue is 6-8 lbs./1000 ft2. Research indicates that to obtain a good mixture of turf-type tall fescue and microclover, where neither species dominates, 3-5% by weight of microclover should be mixed with the tall fescue seed. Thus, if a seeding rate of 6 lbs. tall fescue per 1000 ft2 is used, approximately 0.2 to 0.3 pounds of microclover should be mixed with the 6 lbs. of tall fescue.
These pages can explain more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lawns-and-microclover/
https://www.mdturfcouncil.org/resources/Documents/TT%20Bulletins/TT-
121%20Microclover%20_%20Tall%20Fescue%20Lawns%20in%20the%20Mid-Atlantic.pdf
Christine
