If you’re looking to improve your lawn, learning how to plant clover over grass is a fantastic project. This simple step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right seed to caring for your new, resilient lawn. Clover lawns are gaining popularity for good reason—they’re drought-tolerant, require less fertilizer, and attract beneficial pollinators like bees.
You can successfully add clover to an existing grassy area without starting from scratch. It’s a straightforward weekend project that yields long-term benefits for your soil and local ecosystem. Let’s get your lawn looking greener and healthier.
How to Plant Clover Over Grass
This method focuses on overseeding, which means sowing clover seed directly into your existing turf. The key is to prepare the grass properly so the tiny clover seeds can make good contact with the soil. Follow these steps in order for the best results.
What You’ll Need
- Clover seed (White Dutch clover is most common for lawns)
- Lawn mower
- Metal garden rake or dethatcher
- Lawn roller (optional but helpful) or the back of a rake
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
- Optional: Soil test kit, compost, and a spreader for larger areas
Step 1: Choose the Right Time and Seed
The best times to plant clover are in early spring or early fall. Cool temperatures and consistent moisture help seeds germinate. For most lawns, White Dutch clover (Trifolium repens) is the top choice. It stays low, handles foot traffic, and fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Make sure you buy fresh seed from a reputable supplier. Check the label for purity and germination rates. You’ll need about 2-4 ounces of seed per 1,000 square feet when overseeding.
Step 2: Mow Your Grass Short
Start by mowing your existing lawn as short as your mower allows. This step is crucial because it lets sunlight reach the soil surface and reduces competition from grass blades. Bag the clippings or rake them up to expose the soil as much as possible.
Short grass gives the clover seeds a fighting chance to settle and sprout. Don’t worry, your grass will grow back alongside the new clover.
Step 3: Rake and Scratch the Soil Surface
Now, take a metal garden rake or a dethatching rake. Vigorously rake the entire area. Your goal is to scratch through the thatch and expose bare soil in many spots. You don’t need to remove all the grass, just create openings for the seeds.
This roughing-up process creates tiny grooves and pockets where the seeds can lodge instead of just sitting on top of the thatch. If your soil is compacted, this also helps loosen the top layer slightly.
Step 4: Sow the Clover Seed
You can broadcast the seed by hand for small areas. For larger lawns, use a broadcast or drop spreader for even coverage. Mixing the tiny seeds with fine sand can help you see where you’ve already spread them.
Apply half the seed walking in one direction (north-south), and the other half walking perpendicular (east-west). This cross-hatching technique ensures you don’t miss any spots. Try to do this on a calm day to prevent wind from blowing the seeds away.
Step 5: Press the Seed into the Soil
Clover seeds need good soil contact to germinate. They won’t sprout well if they’re just laying on top. You can gently rake the area again, but be careful not to bury the seeds too deep—a quarter-inch of soil at most is perfect.
The easiest way is to use a lawn roller filled halfway with water to press the seeds down. If you don’t have a roller, simply walking over the area or using the flat back of your rake works too. This step is often overlooked but makes a huge difference.
Step 6: Water Gently and Consistently
Water the seeded area immediately with a fine mist or gentle spray. You want to moisten the soil without washing the seeds away. Keep the top inch of soil consistently damp for the next 7-14 days until germination occurs.
This usually means light watering once or twice a day, depending on weather. Once you see tiny clover sprouts, you can reduce watering to encourage deeper root growth. Avoid heavy soaking that creates puddles.
Step 7: Initial Care and Mowing
Hold off on mowing until the new clover plants are about 4-6 inches tall. Then, simply mow high to encourage spreading. Clover provides it’s own nitrogen, so you can skip synthetic fertilizers.
In the first year, you might see patchy areas. You can always overseed again in the next season to fill them in. The clover will naturally spread and thicken over time, especially if you mow it occasionally.
Why Choose a Clover Lawn?
Adding clover to your grass offers numerous advantages. It’s a practical and eco-friendly choice for modern lawns.
- Nitrogen Fixation: Clover takes nitrogen from the air and converts it into a form plants can use, naturally fertilizing your grass.
- Drought Resistance: Its deep roots access water deeper in the soil, staying green during dry spells when grass turns brown.
- Less Maintenance: Clover lawns require far less mowing, no chemical fertilizers, and are naturally resistant to many weeds.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers provide a valuable food source for bees and other beneficial insects.
- Feels Great Underfoot: It stays cool, soft, and lush, even in poor soil where grass struggles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a simple process, a few errors can hinder your success. Here’s what to watch out for.
Using Old or Poor-Quality Seed
Clover seed viability drops after about a year. Always check the date on the bag. Fresh seed has a much higher germination rate, giving you better results for your effort.
Skipping Soil Contact
Just throwing seed on a long lawn rarely works. The steps to mow short, rake, and press the seed are non-negotiable for good germination. Seeds on thatch will simply dry out or get eaten by birds.
Overwatering or Underwatering
Inconsistent moisture is the main cause of patchy germination. Set a reminder to water lightly daily until sprouts appear. After germination, to much water can promote fungal disease in young seedlings.
Applying Herbicides Too Soon
If you’ve used weed killers on your lawn, check the label. Many broadleaf herbicides can remain active in the soil and will kill clover seedlings. It’s best to wait at least 4-6 weeks after herbicide use before seeding clover.
FAQ: Planting Clover in Grass
Will clover take over my grass completely?
Not necessarily. When overseeded, clover and grass form a mixed lawn. Clover fills in thin spots but grass usually remains dominant unless you stop mowing and fertilizing the grass specifically.
How long does it take for clover to germinate?
Clover seeds typically sprout within 7 to 10 days under ideal conditions (moist soil, temperatures between 50-70°F). It can take up to two weeks in cooler weather.
Do I need to fertilize when planting clover?
No. In fact, you should avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as they will feed the grass and make it outcompete the young clover. Clover provides its own nitrogen once established.
Can I walk on the area after seeding?
Minimize traffic until the seedlings are well-established. You need to water and check on them, but avoid playing or heavy activity on the seeded area for at least 3-4 weeks.
When should I first mow the new clover?
Wait until the clover is at least 4 inches tall, and use a sharp mower blade set on a high setting (around 3 inches). This allows the clover to establish its root system strong enough to handle mowing.
Is clover safe for pets?
Yes, clover is non-toxic to dogs and cats. Some people even note that it’s more resistant to pet urine damage than traditional grass, showing less browning.
Long-Term Care for Your Clover-Grass Lawn
Once established, your mixed lawn is wonderfully low-maintenance. Mow every 3-4 weeks to keep the clover flowering if you want to support bees, or more often for a tidier look. Water only during extended droughts.
You may chose to apply an organic, phosphorus-focused fertilizer in the fall if a soil test indicates a need, but often it’s not required. The greatist task is simply enjoying your greener, healthier, and more resilient yard. With these steps, you’ve successfully learned a valuable skill that benefits both your garden and the environment.