Rising costs of water and energy are inspiring many people to seek environmentally sustainable alternatives to their thirsty, work-intensive lawns. Consequently, white dutch clover lawns have gained popularity in recent years. A dutch clover lawn can be a low-cost, low-maintenance alternative to traditional turf lawns—especially in shady or problem areas of your yard.

There are two types of white dutch clover lawns:

pure white dutch clover – for low to moderate foot-traffic

mixed grass/dutch clover – for moderate to high foot-traffic

Of the two, the best choice for most people and situations is the mixed grass/dutch clover lawn. You can either overseed white dutch clover into your existing lawn or begin one from scratch.

If a dutch clover lawn is right for you, there are many advantages over traditional bluegrass or bermuda grass lawns.

Never needs fertilizer. Clover is a nitrogen-fixer, which means it takes nitrogen from the air, via bacteria living in nodules on the roots. This allows the plant to “create” fertilizer for itself and other nearby plants. This means that grass intermixed with clover is healthier and greener than grass seeded alone.

Little watering. In many regions dutch clover is fairly drought-tolerant when added to a traditional lawn. It has longer roots than most lawn grasses, enabling it to access water held deeper in the soil. (However, clover is not as drought-tolerant when seeded alone at the density of a lawn.)

Spring green-up/winter color. White Dutch Clover greens-up in early spring and remains green until winter. In warmer regions such as the Southern US, it may remain green all year.

Little mowing. White Dutch Clover grows 2-8” tall and requires little mowing to keep it manicured. You may decide to mow in midsummer to remove dead blooms, neaten the appearance, or prevent additional blooming.

No herbicides/out-competes weeds. Some herbicides kill clover, but once established, clover can be persistent to the point of out-competing most other weeds. Weeds that do establish can be hand-rouged or spot-treated with an appropriate herbicide.

Grows in poor soil. Dutch Clover tolerates a wide variety of soil conditions, including poor-draining soils and low quality soils exposed by new construction. Clover also tolerates compacted soil better than lawn grasses, and therefore needs little to no seasonal aeration.

Terrific texture/smell. Soft and cool, white dutch clover feels great on bare feet. Clover also has a mild, pleasing aroma and attractive blooms.

No more dog spots. The urine of female dogs discolors lawn grasses; clover is unaffected.

A white dutch clover lawn may not be for everyone. When deciding if a dutch clover lawn is right for you, first consider the following:

Traditional grass lawns handle heavy foot-traffic (sports, kids, dogs, etc.) better than clover lawns.

White Dutch Clover will stain clothing easier than a grass lawn and can be difficult to launder.

Clover is an excellent pollinator species, attracting honeybees, bumblebees and other beneficial insects. Gardeners may appreciate the bee activity, but it may concern those allergic to beestings. Reduce these concerns by mowing more frequently during the growing season to remove blooms.

Watering your lawn can get expensive. Between the frequency of watering and the amount of water needed for your yard, you’re probably spending more than you realize on lawn care.

But there’s good news: you can save on water costs and still enjoy a lush, green lawn. When you plant drought-tolerant grass and legumes together, you can greatly reduce your lawn’s water consumption.

White Dutch clover is a cost-effective legume that can be overseeded into your existing grass and reduces the amount of water needed to grow a green lawn.

What Is White Clover?

Trifolium repens, or white clover, originated in Europe and is one of the world’s most popular legumes for yards.

White clover is a beautifully simple plant that grows in most regions worldwide. Due to its heartiness and full coverage, many homeowners have transitioned their lawns to full clover or partial clover.

Image Source

This little plant doesn’t grow more than a few inches, which makes it ideal for lawn-use. Many people also love the look of clover yards and clover ground cover — the plant sprouts a small white flower, hence the name.

The clovers are soft and comfortable to walk on, which is why this legume is the ideal addition to grass seed mixtures for yards where families spend a lot of time outside. Don’t want to see the flowers or worried about stepping on a bee? Just mow it regularly to keep it from blooming.

Seven Benefits of Using White Clover Seed

Planting white clover seeds is one of the best decisions you can make for your yard and your lawn care budget. It never needs fertilizer, remains green most of the year, suppresses weeds from growing, thrives in poor soil, has an excellent texture, and doesn’t leave yellow “dog spots.”

Benefit #1: White Clover Is a Natural Fertilizer

One of the reasons many homeowners and farmers plant white Dutch clover seed is because it’s a natural fertilizer. This feature prevents landowners from spending time and money fertilizing their land to keep grass and other plants healthy.

White clover is a nitrogen fixer, which means it replenishes nitrogen in the soil by taking it from the air. With the assistance of helpful bacteria in its nodules, white Dutch clover fertilizes the soil on its own.

Benefit #2: White Dutch Clover Requires Less Water

Water costs are constantly increasing, so it’s beneficial for homeowners to look for ways to use less water. White Dutch clover doesn’t require much water because it’s drought-tolerant.

Its long roots help it access water reservoirs deep within the soil that the grasses can’t reach. However, if you plant an all-clover lawn, it will require just about as much water as an all-grass lawn so keep that in mind.

To unlock the full water-saving potential of white Dutch clover, it’s best to partner it with grass. With both plants, your grass will draw water from the upper soil layers, and your clover can use the water located deeper within the earth.

Benefit #3: Keep Your Yard Green All Year

White clover seed is excellent for homeowners who want a green yard all year. Because clover is a tolerant legume and reaches water far down in the soil, it can maintain active growth for extended periods in harsh conditions where grasses would struggle.

This allows for a green lawn from springtime to the middle of winter. If you live in the southern states, you have the potential for a green lawn year-round when you plant white clover seeds.

Benefit #4: Prevent Weed Growth with White Clover

After planting a beautiful lawn, the most annoying thing is seeing pesky weeds sprout up. You won’t have to worry about weeds if you supplement your grass seeds with white clover seeds.

Because of white clovers’ naturally dense growth, it smothers weeds before they can grow and spread. Basically, white Dutch clover acts as a natural weed suppressor.

Benefit #5: Grow White Dutch Clover in Any Soil

Resiliency is another benefit of planting white clover seed. This legume can grow just about anywhere, in almost any type of soil.

Additionally, this soil resiliency means that you hardly have to aerate the soil, if ever. By mixing clover with grass seed, you’ll minimize your labor while reaping the benefits of a beautifully manicured piece of property.

Benefit #6: Support Pollinators (and Your Family!)

Homeowners love white Dutch clover because it is soft to the touch. This feature is excellent for people who spend a lot of time outside because they can walk around barefoot without being concerned about splinters, weeds, and thorns.

But the appeal of white clover goes beyond the texture. Its small white blooms lures butterflies and bees to pollinate and enjoy the flower’s nectar. If you’d rather not have the flowers you can mow them off before they bloom.

Benefit #7: Eliminate Pet Urine-Related Dead Spots

If you own a dog, you probably have a few yellow spots in your yard. But with clover, you can maintain a bright green lawn and let your dog play outside and relieve itself without worrying. White clover leaves are so resilient that they can grow regardless of your dog’s bathroom habits.

Why is clover resilient to urination?

All grasses, legumes, and plants require nitrogen for growth. Without enough nitrogen, our yards yield nothing for us to enjoy. However, if a yard receives too much nitrogen, it will die.

A dog’s urine is packed with nitrogen, which is a byproduct of the proteins in its diet. Because of this high nitrogen concentration, your dog’s urine acts as a type of natural fertilizer — except, for grass alone, it’s too much nitrogen.

Unlike grass, clover can handle excessive nitrogen levels. Just as white clover pulls nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil, it uses similar systems to adjust the high nitrogen levels in the soil from urination. As a result, the surrounding grass doesn’t die.

Four Reasons to Plant White Dutch Clover Seed

Learning the benefits of white clover is great, but you should also know what you can use it for. White clover has four main purposes: homeowners and farmers plant it for forage, beautification, wildlife, and erosion control.

You can plant clover in spring or late summer/ early fall along with your grass seed. This will give it enough time to establish before the weather gets cold. With the proper intention and planning, you can reap the benefits of a clover and grass lawn on your property.

Situation #1: Foraging

Farmers often use clover as a component in pasture mixes because it’s a great forage legume. Cattle and other livestock love the sweet taste of white clover, and farmers love it because it gives their animals (and soil) essential nutrients. However, if used as forage it needs to be mixed with plenty of grass to avoid bloat risk.

Additionally, clover is cheaper than most other grasses, more resilient to foot traffic and drought, and spreads more quickly than grass. These reasons make it a great addition to pastures where hooves and pads will trample down grass.

Homeowners will benefit from adding clover to their lawn seed mixture, too, even though they don’t have farm animals. Many wild animals survive by foraging. Planting white clover gives your lawn a naturalized look and supports the surrounding wildlife.

Situation #2: Affordable Beautification

Since white clover doesn’t grow very tall, it creates a nice undercoat beneath taller grasses. This undergrowth adds color and depth to your lawn. It’s also soft, making it ideal for families who like to spend warm summer nights out in their yard.

If you have open spaces around your garden, you can use clover as a low-maintenance ground cover as well.

Situation #3: Natural Wildlife Attractor

If you live near woods or plains and plant white clover, prepare for wildlife visitors. Just like domestic animals love the taste of white clover, wildlife enjoys snacking on it too.

Deer and rabbits are some of the most common yard visitors in the country. Since these animals love foraging white clover, prepare for deer and rabbits to eat in your yard if you plant it.

Although this may not appeal to all homeowners, if you love the presence of wildlife on your property, you’re in for a real treat.

Situation #4: Effective Erosion Control

If you have erosion on your property that you can’t control, try using Dutch white clover. This cover crop has deep roots, seed germination happens quickly, and the fast spread can help mitigate soil loss.

Get Premium-Quality White Clover Seeds Today

White Dutch clover can be an excellent addition to your yard because it requires no fertilization and minimal water. It stays green most of the year while preventing weeds from growing and killing your grass.

And the best part is that you don’t have to worry much about it once it grows. White Dutch clover sprouts fast, and it’s hearty and resilient against drought, heat, and dog spots.

If you’re considering planting white clover, consider using it for foraging, beautifying, wildlife, and erosion control. When you plant it along with high-quality grass seed, you can grow a healthy, green lawn that offers you and your family myriad benefits.

If you live in the South, you know your lawn needs drought-tolerant grass to survive the sunshine and high temperatures. The key to growing a healthy lawn that looks vibrant year-round is to plant grasses with exceptional heat and drought tolerance.

The Bermuda Grass Seed Blend by Nature’s Seed is the perfect choice for southern lawns, green spaces, and golf courses. It’s valued for its capacity to withstand heavy use and extended periods of heat without water.

Here are the most important things to know about Bermuda grass seed:

• One of the most commonly resorted to warm-season grass seed types
• Can thrive in the full sun
• Both grass seed and plant require ample drainage
• Impressive tolerance to heat, drought, traffic, as well as salt
• Specific nutrient requirements for seed growth

Bermuda grass seed has long been the standard by which all other warm-region grasses are judged, and for a good reason. It outperforms common choices like fescue grass seed due to its superior properties.

Our Bermuda Seed Blend can be used to create a high-quality lawn, sports turf, or sod that can handle the intense heat of the South while retaining its rich green color and dense growth. These characteristics make this grass seed the perfect choice for home lawns, public spaces, and sports fields.

Explore our grass seed blend line and get your southern lawn ready for the summer!

For residents of the southern United States, there are a few ‘must haves’ when considering lawn grass. It must be tolerant of the drought and limited irrigation conditions. It must be able to thrive in extremely hot summer conditions. It must resist disease and pest influence. And it must be able to recover quickly from heavy traffic, such as dog and foot traffic all the way to football field and golf course use. Luckily we have just the mix.

Our Bermuda Grass Seed Blend contains only 100% premium ‘golf-course’ grade Bermuda grass seeds, guaranteeing a medium to dark-green lawn or sports turf. Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass, meaning it’s greenest during the summer months while taking longer to green up in the springtime and going dormant in the fall and wintertime. It’s important to note that because of its aggressive spreading habit, Bermuda grass may start creeping into unwanted areas. This can be controlled with regular edging, hand-rouging, or by applying an herbicide until the unwanted roots are killed.

Note that due to legal restrictions, Bermuda grass cannot be shipped to Utah, with the exception of Washington County.

What Makes Bermuda Seed the Top Choice for Warm Climates?

Bermuda grass seed loves the heat. Compared to the less tolerant fescue grass seed, many US lawn owners in warmer states rely on Bermuda grass seed for its exceptional resilience.

Considered an invasive species in Bermuda and other countries where it is not native, the seed is known to grow tall with grey-green, short flat leaves and an overall height between four to six inches.

Here are the main reasons why this grass seed type is so popular:

Optimal Heat, Humidity, and Drought Resistance

Native to tropical and subtropical regions, Bermuda grass seed showcases superior tolerance to heat and humidity. This is the reason it flourishes so well in areas with full, direct sun and humid climates.

It’s a warm-season perennial suitable for southern lawns from Virginia to the southern half of Colorado, Utah, and California — that’s why Bermuda grass seed is commonly grown in warm climates all over the US for lawns, pasture grass, and for golf greens.

Both the above- and under-ground stems of Bermuda grass bear extensively networked rhizomes and stolons, which enable a dense turf while ensuring longer retention of nutrients and water. The deep root system, which can reach up to six feet in depth, is a big part of what makes this grass seed so resilient.

As long as you don’t expose it to extremes such as frost, Bermuda grass seed will remain an evergreen choice for most of the southern states. Additionally, planting Bermuda grass seed with cool-season grasses like ryegrass ensures good resilience against cooler temperatures during mild winters.

On the other hand, Bermuda grass seed is not cold resistant. So it’s not suitable for planting in northern temperate climates like ryegrass and other cold-season grasses are.

Able to Withstand High Traffic and Stress

Bermuda grass seed is one that you can rely upon for sustaining the most challenging extremes, including intense rains, heavy traffic, and regular wear and tear.

A dense Bermuda grass seed lawn will recover quickly from damage and compaction, making it an excellent choice for golf courses, athletic fields, sports grounds, recreational parks, and high-traffic lawns. This is the reason why so many lawn owners plant grass seed right before summer starts.

High Growth Rate Means Faster Recuperation

Bermuda grass seed is known to be one of the fastest-growing warm-climate grasses. This is because the seed grows through both above- and underground stems (stolons and rhizomes, respectively).

While such swift growth means that Bermuda grass seed can become invasive, it also means that it has an impressive recovery rate and can endure tough usage.

An interesting feature of the plant is that it will keep growing even when the top foliage dies. This is because Bermuda grass is capable of growing steadily despite draining conditions.

No matter what the soil type — loamy, clay-like, sandy, or something else — you can expect the grass seed to grow steadily after planting due to its high tolerance for acidity, alkalinity, salt, traffic, and stress.

The only scenario where Bermuda grass seeds fail to live up to their potential for resilience is when forced to grow in an area with low light.

Germinates Quickly

Bermuda grass seed germinates within days under the right conditions. Other warm-season grasses take much longer.

However, if the conditions aren’t right, Bermuda grass seed can take up to three weeks to germinate, so it’s important to consider your sun, shade, and soil conditions when planning your project.

If you want to accelerate the germination process, plant the grass seed into moist soil on a warm day — air temperatures should be 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Also, ensure that you are frequently watering the seeds after planting to provide the moisture that the grass seed requires for faster development.

Grow a Lush New Lawn with Premium Quality Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass seed thrives in heat and humidity and grows most aggressively during the summer months. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a warm-season blend that will yield a green lawn year-round in areas with mild winters.

Choose Nature’s Seed premium quality Bermuda Grass Seed Blend when planning to revitalize your property. Order your grass seed today!

Contact us to learn more about Bermuda grass or to request a recommendation for your property.

For those of us living in climates that experience hot summers, it’s not uncommon to notice our traditional bluegrass or ryegrass lawns turning yellow or brown in the peak of summer heat. That’s the natural response these cool-season type grasses display when exposed to prolonged heat and drought. Many people think that is just the way it is and accept defeat. But with our Buffalo Grass Seed Blend, no more do you have to accept those summertime brown areas. Buffalograss is a warm-season grass, making it greenest during the hottest months of the summer. It’s extremely drought tolerant and very slow growing, meaning less irrigation and maintenance. Buffalograss can take up to two years to fully establish a dense sod. It’s important to note that because buffalo grass is a warm-season type grass it will stay in its brown, winter state until temperatures approach summer averages. This means a slower green-up in the spring, although the extreme drought tolerance and low maintenance qualities make up for the slow start. Because it is a warm season grass, it is important to recognize that Buffalograss will not sprout as quickly as cool season grasses, and will not start to show sprouts until soil temperatures have been consistently between 60-80 degrees (about 90-100 degrees air temperature). Buffalograss is a great alternative lawn for use around homes, parks and campuses and exhibits a medium green, medium texture.

What Is Turf-Type Tall Fescue?

Turf-type tall fescue is also known for its remarkable ability to resist disease. If you’re looking for a lawn that will accommodate heavy traffic (such as dogs) or needs to wait a while between watering, this blend is for you.

The wider leaf blade gives this grass a medium texture, while the roots can reach depths of up to five feet. This makes Triple-Play grass seed perfect for places that see a lot of foot traffic, such as sports fields, campuses, schools, parks, and homes.

Our Triple-Play blend is a mix of three types of low-growing, dark green turf-type tall fescue grass seeds. The result of this combination is a lawn highly resistant to traffic, more drought tolerant than bluegrass or ryegrass, and able to withstand high summer temperatures.

The Difference Between Fescue and Tall Fescue Lawns

If you’re wondering about the difference between fescue and tall fescue, what you’re really asking about is fine fescue versus tall fescue.

“Fescue” is a general term for the cool-season grasses within the Poaceae family of grasses. Within that family are dozens of species, but fine fescues and tall fescues are among the most popular types for properties and beautification.

So while fine fescue and tall fescue grass seed belong to the same family and can be found in similar geographical regions, there are a couple of key differences between them: their appearance and preferred soil type.

Difference #1: Appearance

A tall fescue lawn — especially turf-type tall fescue — is an instant headturner: With a deep and vibrant green coloring on thick, coarse blades, and a glossy underleaf, tall fescue is a great option for lawns and backyards.

When left unmowed, tall fescue can grow up to two inches per week in spring and fall and reach as high as three to four feet.

On the other hand, fine fescue is much thinner in appearance, although it still maintains that dark green color. In some cases, when fine fescue is especially healthy, it will achieve a brilliant emerald green coloring that is significantly darker than tall fescue.

Its blades are narrow and pointed, but, unlike its counterpart, fine fescue only reaches a maximum height of eight to 12 inches.

Difference #2: Preferred Soil Type

Tall fescue seed prefers rich and clay-like soil that can drain well with an ideal pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass and can primarily be seeded in the northern part of the United States.

It grows well north of Texas. Seeding in the south may result in dehydration and browning blades — once you reach that point, your lawn isn’t likely to survive.

Fine fescue grass seed prefers the opposite of tall fescues: Fine fescue can do fairly well in poor soil that is also sandy. It prefers a more acidic, well-drained soil — because fescues require plenty of water. The ideal pH is 6 to 6.5.

Compared to tall fescue seed, fine fescue should only be seeded north of North Carolina with some more flexibility out West, right above Texas.

When and How to Seed Triple-Play Turf-Type Tall Fescue

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb, or new to the seeding process, knowing how to take care of your tall fescue lawn is essential to ensuring healthy germination.

Here’s what you need to know about when to seed your Triple-Play turf-type tall fescue blend:

• Ideal soil temperatures — Seed germination occurs best when ground temperatures are between 60 and 65°F. Since it takes between 14 and 21 days for tall fescue grass seed to germinate, ensure that these soil temperatures are consistent first.
• Ideal time to plant tall fescue — Seed in either fall or spring when the soil cools down or warms up to the ideal soil temperature range. Since tall fescue requires plenty of water, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the fall and spring rains.

Here’s what you need to know about how to seed your Triple-Play turf-type tall fescue blend:

1. Level and smooth the soil — When starting from scratch, be sure that you’re seeding bare ground so that your tall fescue blend isn’t competing with other turfgrass or weeds. Simply remove any weeds and gently rake the soil so that it’s ready for seeding.
2. Use fertilizer — Although optional, fertilizer can dramatically help the new seeds germinate properly. This is an especially important step if you are introducing a new blend or have had unsuccessful attempts before.
3. Distribute seed with a spreader — To ensure the best possible coverage, use a spreader to plant tall fescue seeds. After you’ve covered the ground, lightly rake over the seeds to ensure good soil-to-seed contact.
4. Water the seeds — After seeding, immediately water your lawn. Continue to do so over the next few weeks to keep the soil continuously moist. If you’re planting in spring, you’ll need to water the grass more frequently throughout the day.

Find the Best Tall Fescue Blend Today

As with any turfgrass, determining whether a blend will thrive on your property depends on several factors:

• Your preferences, such as color, durability, and desired features
• Your geographical location, since fescue is a cool-season grass
• Your soil type, since tall fescue does well in rich soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.5

For those looking to grow lush tall fescue lawns, the Triple-Play turf-type fescue grass seed is an excellent choice for high-traffic yards with plenty of drainage. It also does well in full-sun to partial-shade, which means that if your property gets between three and six hours of sunlight, the tall fescue grass seed will do fairly well.

If you’re unsure where to start, the experts at Nature’s Seed can direct you to the right fescue blend. Check out the Seed Selector Tool today to find the best tall fescue varieties for your property.