Germination of Dutch Clover

When to Plant Seed

• The best time to seed dutch clover for germination in your yard or lawn is in the early spring, generally in early April. This seeding should take place early enough that it occurs before the grass is in full growing mode, so that the clover has little competition for moisture from surrounding plants. As long as you provide enough moisture, the seed will germinate if planted anytime after this point, but germination after mid-summer puts the seeds and young sprouts in danger of freezing and dying off in case of an early winter frost.

How to Seed

• Before seeding the clover in your lawn or garden, rake or till the soil to ensure that the seeds will come in direct contact with the dirt, and not with any old clippings, dead foliage or stones and sticks on top. Mix the seeds with sawdust and then pour them into a broadcast seeder; the sawdust will help to spread out the seeds for a more even distribution. Distribute seeds at a rate of 2 to 8 oz. per 1,000 sq. ft. of garden space, depending on how you want to use the clover. For only 2 oz., the clover will be more of an interspersed decoration in your grass; at 8 oz., clover will be the main plant and will choke out everything else in the area.

Supporting Germination

• With proper care, dutch clover seeds will germinate within 10 days, and over the next few weeks will reach a height of up to 8 inches. The most important aspect of supporting germination is to keep the soil in which you plant the seed consistently moist. The actual amount of water the seeds need will vary by soil type and climate conditions, but you should never let the soil dry out until the clover plants are fully germinated and established. Check the soil at least twice per day, and water the area if the top 1/2 inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Once the clover is fully established, the root system will find the plants water, but for germination you must provide all the moisture the plants need.

Other Tips

• If planted in early to mid-summer, seeds will germinate in as little as three days as long as you keep them consistently moist. Once established, clover can withstand nearly any conditions, including drought, regular mowing and pet urine and waste. However, the sensitive stems and leaves of clover cannot withstand regular foot traffic, so it is not recommended for use in high-traffic areas or in parts of the yard where children like to play.