Adopting a Traditional Push Mower for Your Lawn
Creating a Sustainable Lawn with Microclover and Organic Fertilizers
Published on January 4, 2019 by Greg Seaman
Looking to create a lush, low-maintenance lawn that's kind to the environment? Consider incorporating microclover seed into your grass mix, along with organic fertilizers.
Microclover seed, such as Trifolium repens ‘Pipolina’ or Mini Clover, is ideal for blending with grass. It fixes nitrogen, supports soil health, suppresses weeds, and creates a lush, low-mow lawn that stays green even under drought or shade conditions.
For an effective lawn blend, microclover is usually mixed with fine fescues or similar low-maintenance grasses. This balanced mix provides both durability and aesthetics, with microclover naturally fertilizing the grass through nitrogen fixation.
Organic fertilizers to complement the microclover-grass blend include slow-release organic options such as compost or composted manure, which improve soil texture and provide nutrients. Alfalfa meal, a natural, nitrogen-rich fertilizer, is another suitable choice, as it releases nutrients steadily without harming soil life.
Seeds marketed explicitly as microclover mixes often come pre-inoculated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to ensure establishment and provide natural fertilization benefits.
When it comes to seeding, the recommended rate for microclover alone is about 1 pound per 1000 sq. ft., but when mixed with grass seed, specific ratios are usually provided by seed suppliers and can vary depending on the grass species used.
In summary, the best approach is to use a microclover seed blend (e.g., 10,000 Mini Clover seeds or microclover lawn mixes) combined with low-maintenance grass seed such as fescue, along with organic slow-release fertilizers like compost or alfalfa meal. This combination leverages microclover’s nitrogen-fixation to reduce fertilizer needs and produces soft, green lawns that require minimal mowing and watering.
While there is no single premixed product for microclover plus organic fertilizer on the market, blending high-quality microclover seed with organic soil amendments and compatible grass seed based on regional suitability is recommended.
In addition to microclover seed, this article discusses other seeds and fertilizers, including Organic Turf Starter Fertilizer (available in a 4-6-4 formula and a 30 lbs size), Corn Gluten Organic Fertilizer (available in an 8-0-0 formula and a 40 lbs size), Organic Concentrated Compost (available in an 18 lbs size), Wildflower Farms Eco-Lawn Grass Seed (available in 5 lb and 50 lb sizes), and MicroLawn Grass Seed & Microclover Blend (available in 1 lb and 5 lbs sizes).
Incorporating microclover seed and organic fertilizers into one's home-and-garden projects can contribute to a sustainable living lifestyle when creating a lush, low-maintenance lawn. For instance, by blending microclover with low-maintenance grass seeds like fine fescues and using organic slow-release fertilizers such as compost or alfalfa meal, one can establish a soft, green lawn that requires minimal watering and mowing, promoting environmental friendliness.
