Lawn Care Guide: How To Grow Clover Lawn In Hutto, TX?
Owning a lawn yard in Hutto is typically no different from doing the same in any other city. However, when it comes to growing a clover lawn, then it’s important to pay attention. Clover lawn mowing and maintenance is a bit different from what you already know about lawn care.
Clover lawns aren’t like your normal grassy lawn. You need to know how to grow clover lawn or at least hire people that do, for it to work out great. Clover is a plant with broad leaves and small white flowers at the top. It’s actually a nitrogen-producing legume that promotes environmental sustenance. It will interest you to know that clover is resistant to drought and once established, it doesn’t need regular watering to keep it hydrated.
Below we have discussed how to grow clover lawn successfully. Enjoy the guide!
The Difference between Clover and Grass
There are several differences between clover and grass. Read on below to learn them:
Clover Lawn
Clover is a nitrogen-producing legume that grows thick and close-together. It requires little fertilizer and minimal watering to flourish. Due to how it grows, you will find out that weeds do not survive for long in a clover lawn. Alternatively, clover plants can be used as a cover to protect grass to remain green for longer periods. Learning how to plant clover in an existing lawn will protect normal grass lawn yards.
Grass Lawn
These plants come in different species and are clearly different from clovers. Grass is used for making turf for fields and of course, home yards.
Examples of grass species include but are not limited to the following: Buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, Zoysia, Kentucky bluegrass, Tall fescue grass, etc.
Typically, grass requires more effort to maintain and more resources to keep it healthy. There will be need for watering, fertilization, regular mowing by GoMow Hutto, and every other lawn practice needed to care for your yard.
Types of Clover You Should Know About
Clover plants come in different species which are effective for growing a healthy, blooming lawn. The good thing about this plant is the fact that it is really cost-effective to maintain.
Micro-clover
This type of clover is a small variety that has small leaves, less flowers and best-suited for areas with foot traffic. This is because they’re soft and don’t usually grow in clusters like the variant species. Clover lawn mowing should be done sparingly to avoid scalping the lawn.
Dutch white clover
Also known as dwarf white clover, this species of clover has small white flowers. It pollinates all year long from attracting agents of pollination like bees and birds. Dutch white clover is green throughout the year and has a widely-growing root which helps it stay resilient. It is the toughest species of clover plants in existence.
Why You Should Plant Clover on Your Yard
Clover is a low-maintenance plant that is great for covering your front or back yard. If you’re considering giving your lawn yard a different look from other neighbors, you might want to go for a clover lawn. Learn the basics on how to grow clover lawn then get started.
The following is a list of some of the benefits of having a clover lawn.
- They don’t need to be mowed very often. Most cover plants grow only up to eight inches tall and require little care. Mowing can be done in mid-summer to keep the lawn in good shape. Beneficial insects such as honeybees, pest-fighting wasps, and other agents of pollination help to facilitate the growth of the clover plants. Contact us today for your professional clover lawn mowing.
- Clover lawns require little watering and can endure a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, thanks to their strong roots. When established, clover lawns can be watered only once a season and will remain green, unlike grass lawns, which must be watered on a regular basis to keep it healthy and lush.
- Clover lawns self-feed unlike many plants in the world. Like all legumes, Clover creates a natural fertilizer for itself by feeding on its own nitrogen. This nitrogen also feeds other plants and saves lawn owners money on fertilizer.
Why You May Have Issues with a Clover Lawn
As much as clover lawns offer such great benefits to its owners, there are certain issues that come with them. Here are some clover lawn challenges:
- Clover lawns can attract bees and insects, which as beneficial as they are, can be a source of worry or allergy for some individuals. However, proper lawn care in Hutto or wherever your location is can keep these insects at bay while you enjoy your clover lawn.
- Clover lawns need regular reseeding to keep things alive and fresh. In terms of its life cycle, it’s a short-term perennial legume which requires constant reseeding yearly.
- Clover plant isn’t tough enough to withstand foot traffic. Over time, clover lawns suffer from too much foot traffic. Therefore, it’s important to mix.
How to Maintain Your Clover Lawn for Long Periods
For clover lawn owners, keeping your lawn in good shape over time requires hiring a lawn care Hutto or at the very least knowing what to do. Below are some tips on how to maintain your clover lawn.
Avoid using a nitrogen-based fertilizer
Using nitrogen fertilizers on a clover lawn would be a bit of an overkill as clover naturally produces its own fertilizer. Consult with a lawn service in your area if the lawn looks terrible despite your best effort. Try out a lawn care in Hutto to begin today.
Mow lightly and infrequently
For clover lawns, you can mow lightly to keep it clean and tidy. Scalping the lawn should be avoided as much as possible as clover is a cover type that looks better when full and thick. Leave clippings after mowing as it forms a good source for organic fertilizer when it decomposes.
Do away with weed killers
Most weed killers are designed to kill anything that isn’t grass. Therefore, using a herbicide on a clover lawn is asking for trouble. Clover lawns when healthy are capable of eliminating weeds on their own due the nature of their growth.
Planting a Clover Lawn – Things You Need to Know
Now, the question is, how do you grow a clover lawn that’s beautiful and healthy? Below is a basic breakdown of how to grow clover lawn. Read on:
Ready the lawn soil
Preparing your soil for clover planting is the first step in this process. As soon as spring season commences, mow your lawn to the ground and clean it out in preparation for seeding.
Inspect and treat your soil
Test the soil for pH, nutrient level and content before proceeding to the next level. Clover plant performs best in a good mix of sandy and loamy soil. Ph level should be between 6 and 7 for best results. Using a simple soil testing kit, test the soil then treat as needed.
Seed with clover seed
Spread out clover seed mixed with sand all over the chosen area. Do this by hand or with a seed spread to ensure you have an even spread. To create a robust lawn yard, you can learn how to plant clover in an existing lawn even if you already have a grass lawn.
Run a rake to mix things up
Use a rake to mix up the clover seed with the soil but be careful while at it. The clover seeds will germinate more successfully when mixed up with the soil.
Introduce water to irrigate the area
Daily light watering for the next 10 – 14 days is essential to grow a new clover lawn. Watering can be reduced as soon as you notice the first sign of leaf sprouting of leaves. Keep leaf-eating animals and human feet off your growing patch and as your clover lawn gets established.
Starting a clover lawn may not be as common as a regular grass lawn. However, it comes with its own pros as we’ve stated in this article. It’s our expectation that you will find this information useful in your lawn yard care activities.
GoMow Hutto provides one of the best clover lawn mowing this side of Texas. Our service comes with a FREE QUOTE on our website.
Get started today >>> www.gomow.com/service-areas/hutto.
