The Great Micro Clover Lawn Experiment

As with most great discoveries, I came upon Microclover by accident. Living in Southern California and experiencing the drought inspired me to do a bit of research, and I made a very interesting discovery: Microclover! Over seeding Microclover into lawns  dramatically reduces  lawn maintenance costs because there is less mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weeding.

A  European company called DLF-TRIFOLIUM, developed this small leaved type of white clover, “MicroClover” for use in lawns mixed 5% Microclover, 95% grass. The picture below contrasts the size of Microclover with regular Clover. 

The Promise of Microclover:

1.    Microclover produces its own fertilizer (Nitrogen), which feeds the grass, keeping it  healthy and green year round, eliminating the need to fertilize with the resulting phosphorous runoff into rivers and lakes which create algae blooms.

2.    Microclover’s deep roots reduce the need for watering, while the leaves create a canopy which shades the ground, helping the soil retain water. Currently, a 1,000 sq.ft. lawn in So Cal requires about 50,000 gallons of water per year to keep “the green carpet” green. Depending on your soil type, your watering needs will drop significantly.

3.    The resulting dense root growth inhibits weed establishment while providing an attractive green lawn, lowering and sometimes eliminating the need for fertilizer, chemicals, with minimal mowing and upkeep. Normal Turf is sometimes mowed once a week in peak season, while Microclover lawns can be mowed considerably less

There are numerous studies and trials constantly happening with the Microclover grass mixes, the latest is in my front yard. I recently purchased 5 lbs of Earth Turf Brand Microclover mix which we planted on 12/17/2014.

These are the initial planting pictures. I will report results over the next few weeks and months, while crossing my fingers and hoping for all the advantages of Microclover come true. If they do, overseeding  turf grass with a Microclover mix could make a dramatic improvement in our environment while lowering lawn maintenance costs dramatically.  

Stay tuned!

Picture #1:  Overseed, partial shade, planted 12/17/2014
Picture  #2: New lawn over dead sod, direct sun all day- 12/17/2015
Picture #3: New Lawn in parched dirt, direct sun all day- 12/17/2014

High temperature 72, low temperature 42. 1/17/2014 thru 1/01/2015
Canyon Lake California is in region 9a of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Soil PH Balance 6.5

Steve Nauert
310-493-1999
The Drought Smart Lawn Team