A Detailed Guide to Planting Clover Seeds
SummarySoil preparation: Before planting, the lawn needs to be deep-plowed, and debris such as grass roots, tree stumps, and construction waste should be cleared away. Sowing: One seed can be sown per hole, with a sowing depth of 1-1.5cm, covered with about 1cm of soil, then watered to keep the soil surface moist. The seeds can also be mixed evenly with dry soil and then scattered into the soil. Later management: Remove weeds promptly. During the vigorous growth period and before overwintering, one mowing is needed to promote healthy growth of the clover.
I. Soil Preparation
Clover seeds are relatively small, so fine soil preparation is needed before planting. Deep-plow the lawn. For courtyard lawn establishment, this is generally done after construction is completed, so the site will contain waste such as mortar, bricks, cement, sand and gravel, tiles, and decorative materials. Before soil preparation, debris such as tree stumps, grass roots, and construction waste should be cleared away, and then garden soil should be used for backfilling.
II. Sowing
Clover seeds can be sown in late March in spring or in mid-September in autumn. In southern regions, autumn sowing is the main method, while in northern regions, spring sowing is the main method. Sowing can be done in summer as well. After sowing, the surface soil needs to be kept moist, and mulch can also be used for shading. Each gram of clover contains about 1400-2000 seeds. Sowing 1 seed per hole can achieve the effect of forming a lawn.
III. Sowing Methods
The seeding rate can be determined according to the plot area. Mix the seeds evenly with dry soil, then scatter them into the soil. If establishing a lawn over a large area, a cyclone seeder can be used for broadcasting. The suitable sowing depth for clover is 1-1.5cm. After the seeds are scattered onto the seedbed, a lawn rake can be used to rake the seeds into the soil, then cover with 1cm of topsoil.
IV. Watering
1. Clover grows relatively slowly during the seedling stage, so management before the lawn is established is very important. After the seeds are scattered onto the seedbed, if a sprinkler irrigation system has been installed in advance, sprinkler irrigation can be carried out promptly. If no sprinkler irrigation system has been installed, a homemade nozzle can be used for spray irrigation.
2. Spraying can be done every morning or evening to keep the seedbed surface moist until the seedlings emerge. After emergence, the frequency of spraying can be appropriately reduced, but careful management is still needed. Seedling-stage management lasts about 30-50 days, during which weeds also need to be removed promptly to prevent them from competing with the seedlings for nutrients.
V. Fertilization
1. After the clover lawn is established, because of its strong invasiveness, intertillage and weeding are not needed during this period. Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia can absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form usable by plants, so more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be applied, and less nitrogen fertilizer can be applied.
2. During the vigorous growth season and before overwintering, sufficient water needs to be supplied to ensure vigorous plant growth and safe overwintering. Before midsummer, 1 mowing can be carried out, then water thoroughly, which helps the plants remain green. Before overwintering, mow 1 more time and water thoroughly for overwintering, so that when the lawn turns green again in the 2nd year, there will be no withered and yellow branches and leaves on the lawn surface.
VI. Precautions
1. Clover has low soil requirements and can adapt to various types of soil. It grows better in slightly acidic soil. It likes sunny, warm, and well-drained environmental conditions. It grows relatively slowly in arid climates, and a small amount dies in high-temperature seasons.
2. Clover is tolerant of pruning and trampling and has very strong regeneration ability. About 10 days after pruning, new small leaves will grow. After high-intensity trampling or rolling, it can recover its growth in 3-5 days. Its cold tolerance is also relatively strong. When the winter temperature drops to 0°C, a small number of old leaves will turn yellow and wither, and the small leaves on the main root will cling close to the ground and stop growing, but will still remain green. Under strong shading, it is prone to leggy growth, resulting in poor growth. It also has strong resistance to pests, diseases, and harmful gas pollution.