Micro White Clover Seeds
When should I plant
Microclover prefers cooler temperatures for germination and growth, so spring and fall are the best time to plant; avoid planting at the hottest time of year. In spring, you can sow after all danger of frost has passed. In fall, sow 6 weeks prior to heavy frost date, so that perennial clover plants have time to establish root systems before freezes hit.
Site consideration
If you plan to seed Microclover into an existing lawn, be sure to mow close to the soil surface and aerate first. This will introduce air, water, and nutrients into the soil and give your seed a better chance of taking hold. Water regularly to ensure your soil doesn't dry out.
Water
All new plantings should be kept damp for best results with germination. Water regularly so that your soil is like a wrung-out sponge: evenly hydrated but not soggy. Water as needed to ensure that your soil doesn’t dry out. Once established, Microclover is drought tolerant and will need little supplemental watering. In the long-term, richer/wetter soil will encourage more aggressive and lush growth of clover.
Sunlight
Clover will grow in light shade, but not very fast. You may want to double your seeding rates if planting in light shade. Clover will not fair well at all in dense shade and is not recommended. If possible, cut back brush, trees, etc. to all the clovers to receive 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Seed Germination
Typically the clover will germinate in 7-14 days depending on the weather conditions. As a minimum the temperature should be above 6-8 degrees and the seeds need to have good contact with the soil. For existing lawns this can be achieved by raking out any existing debris.
Seeding Rate
1-2 lbs seeds cover 1,000 square feet.
Other Elements
Fertilization
The benefit of Microclover is that it does not need fertilizer! Avoid the use of herbicides because they will damage or kill Microclover. Microclover will stay green from spring through fall, but in winter, Microclover will go dormant and turn brown.
Weed control
If undesirable weeds appear, it’s important not to treat with any broadleaf herbicides,since these will kill microclover. Instead, prevent weeds from colonizing your lawn by starting with clean, nutritious soil at the correct pH. (Perform a soil test before planting.) Sow seed at the recommended rate and water well to establish quickly. If weeds appear, pull by hand.
Seed Storage
The seeds will maintain a high germination percentage if stored under proper conditions. How long your seeds remain viable will depend on the temperature and moisture levels the seeds are exposed to. Seeds which are improperly stored will quickly deteriorate if unprotected against high humidity and dramatic temperature fluctuations day after day.
For best results, keep the seed in our moisture-proof ziplock sealing bags, which provide a better moisture prevention effect. Glass jar or plastic containers with snap-on lids works well too, add a packet of desiccant before sealing into the seed, such as silica gel to remove any moisture remains in the storage container. Seed stored under these conditions will remain viable for as long as years.
Factors Which commonly Cause Poor Results
1. Improper drainage soil
2. Sowing depth more than one inch
3. Covering the seed too deep beneath the soil surface
4. Cover a large area with a small amount of seed.
5. Plant at a wrong time of a year
6. Lack of sunlight
7. Inadequate rainfall after seed germination. The area should not be allowed to become completely dry. Supplemental watering may be required to sustain plant life.
8. Extreme weather conditions: hail, drought, excessive rainfall, floods, unseasonably cold temperatures.