Adding mini clover to grass seed creates a green, hardy, drought-tolerant lawn

Adding a blend of clover seeds to your chosen grass seeds can result in a hardy, drought-tolerant lawn that thrives in both full sun and part shade conditions. This hybrid lawn requires minimal watering and effectively suppresses weeds, never needing fertilizer and remaining green throughout the summer, even when exposed to dog urine.

The good news is that green is green, and your clover lawn will integrate seamlessly with the surrounding grass. Clover is resilient against foot traffic, unlike unwitnessed clover, which necessitates frequent reseeding. Moreover, when mixed with grass, clover efficiently reseeds itself, filling in the lawn densely and outcompeting common weeds.

When selecting seeds, opt for "micro" or "mini" clover, which reaches about 4 inches tall following repeated low-mowing to train it to maintain a short, lawn-like appearance. Clover seeds are often pre-coated with inoculant, which supplies nitrogen through beneficial bacterial strains. This inoculant prevents weed seeds from thriving, so purchase and apply it according to label instructions before sowing.

Before seeding, remove any thatch from your existing lawn, mix the seeds with sand or loose soil for even distribution, and gently rake them in. Daily watering (unless it rains) is necessary to maintain slightly moist soil until the clover establishes itself. For part-shade areas, double the recommended seed quantity.

Sow clover seeds in fall for temperate regions and around April in colder areas with harsh winters. While clover excels in most climates, it is not recommended for the Deep South due to its limited heat tolerance. Gardening expert Jessica Damiano provides weekly columns for The Associated Press and publishes the Weekly Dirt Newsletter for additional gardening tips and advice.