Everything you need to know about planting a Clover lawn.

On the other hand, lawns need a lot of water.They provide minimal benefits to nature.Grasses are ground covers that can be used to keep weeds out.Oxygen, a lush carpet for barefoot play, and a pleasant setting for active summer living are some of the things they provide.

One thing is certain, you can make your lawn more sustainable by considering clover.In the past, the humble clover plant was a common resident in backyard lawns across the country.Some lawns were entirely made of clover.There were some good reasons for this.

It is a leguminous plant, meaning that it can fix nitrogen from the air and release it slowly to the other plants in your lawn, it also stays green longer and needs less water than conventional grasses.There are many reasons to add clover to your lawn.

Call your local garden center to inquire about the success of clover in your area.Landscape professionals recommend a ratio of 15-20% clover seed to 80% grass seed for your area and location.If you mix it with grass, you won't need to reseed your lawn.New micro-clovers developed in the last few decades offer more resilient varieties that many people are choosing to sow in much higher concentrations.The balance of clover and grasses will change over time and reach an equilibrium that works well for your soil type and local conditions.

The two varieties most commonly used in lawns are Dutch (or dwarf) white clover and micro-clover.For example, Pipolina.You need to know what these options are.

It works best in soils with a pH between 6 and 7.A soil test kit or a pH meter can be used to find out the soil's pH.If your soil is not in the desirable range, you can adjust the pH using lime or peat moss.

The best time to plant clover is after the last frost in the spring, when rains will help you establish a new crop.If you live in an area with mild autumn weather, fall planting is a possibility.Before winter, temperatures should be above 40 F.

To establish the healthiest lawn, lawn specialists recommend using both grass seed and clover.Do not spread these different types of seeds together.Spreading with grass seed results in even coverage since it clumps together at the bottom of the spreader or seed bag.If you want a ratio of clover to grass, spread it separately.

To add clover to an already established lawn, begin by mowing close to the ground and raking out any thatch that grew over the previous growing season.It's time to aerate your lawn.If you aeration your seed, it will benefit.You can mix your chosen seed with sand, sawdust, or soil.You may want to use a broadcast spreader on the smallest setting if you are seeding a large expanse.Keep in mind that many spreaders don't accommodate small seeds.

Water your seed every day for two weeks.This will help the seeds get off to a good start in their new location.Deer and other animals should not be on the lawn.

Cutting back on nitrogen-based fertilizers is the key to giving clover a boost.Since it fixes its own nitrogen, it will thrive even if it doesn't have it.P and K are important, so choose a fertilizer with a low nitrogen component.

Prepare your soil several weeks in advance by removing weeds, stones, and other debris if you are starting a new lawn.To encourage weeds to grow, Rake or till the top layer of soil and then water the area.Before planting your lawn, remove any weeds that have sprouted and rake to a smooth, even texture.

Spread your seed with sand, sawdust, or fine soil.Use a broadcast spreader for large areas to ensure even distribution.Don't fertilize.If using, follow with grass seed.

To lightly cover the seeds, Rake the planted area.They will not grow if they are buried too deep.Use a roller or walk over the area.Water should be available until established.

If you want to trim your lawn for the first time, you should wait until the clover drops its seeds and then cut close to the ground.This will help the plants establish their roots by favoring the clover over the grass.The clippings are a valuable mulch.You can reduce the mowing by letting the lawn grow to 3′′ once the clover begins to thrive.If the grass starts to take over, you can always keep an eye on it.

Adding clover to your existing lawn or planting a new lawn will help reduce the impact of your little patch of green.With less requirements and more time for enjoying, a clover lawn is a great choice for your sustainable solution.

Shannon is the editor at Eartheasy.com.She lives with her family on six acres of land.