Clover is a popular ground cover plant in the United States and Europe. Clover belongs to the Trifolium genus. It has over 300 species. All of them belong to the legume family. Clovers are annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herbaceous plants.
Clover is also used as an alternative to traditional grass lawns. There are many varieties and cultivars of clover. Clovers in general can grow in various soils. However, most of them are cool-season plants. It means they are only suitable for regions with lower temperatures.
In this article, I will explain some of the best clovers for poor soil.
Table of Contents
Does clover grow well in poor soil?
Most clover species don’t grow well in poor soil. But there are some that will tolerate poor soil conditions. Clover prefers evenly moist and well-draining soil. Clover usually doesn’t require any fertilization.
The common problem with a lot of soil is that they either get waterlogged or doesn’t hold enough water. This is not good for clover.
Another problem is PH levels. PH levels play a major role when it comes to any plant. Most clover varieties need a soil PH level between 6 to 7. If the soil is too acidic or alkaline, clover won’t grow well.
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How do you know if the soil is poor?
There are a few signs to look out for when deciding the quality of the soil.
- Waterlogged or doesn’t hold water at all
Poor soils either hold a lot of water or don’t hold water at all. Both are bad for the majority of the plants including clover. - Has too much clay or sand
Sand and clay are found in soil. Clay is nutrient-rich and holds water. Sand doesn’t hold nutrients well and lets water drain faster. Good soil has sand and clay in equal amounts making the soil habitable for plants. Poor soil has excessive amounts of sand or clay. - Compacted soil
Soil can get compacted by foot traffic, vehicles, and heavy objects. Compacted soil is unhealthy. It is difficult to dig into and roots will have a hard time penetrating through compacted soil. - Has no nutrients
Soil without nutrients is considered very poor. Topsoil generally contains enough nutrients for plants to start growing. But over time it will lose its nutrients. A soil that had plants for a long time usually will be in poor condition. Sandy soil also has little to no nutrients. - Has too many nutrients
Having too many nutrients can actually hurt the plants. This is a possible cause of poor soil especially if it is heavily fertilized for a long period of time. - Has no organic matter
Organic matter improves any soil instantly. It adds nutrients and increases the activities of microorganisms and earthworms.
What is the best soil for clover seeds?
The best soil for clover should be well-draining, moist, and rich in organic matter. Also, it would be best if it gets full sun and no shadows from trees. Most poor soils can be improved by various techniques. It can take some time and will definitely cost some money.
How to improve the soil for clover?
- Increase the drainage
Drainage can be improved by adding perlite or sand to the soil. - Loosen the soil
Heavy soils can be dug using hand tools or machinery. This will loosen and aerate the soil. - Add organic matter
Adding organic matter such as compost or animal manure will improve the soil. They will add nutrients and improve the overall soil structure. This also helps with fixing sandy or clayish soil types. - Remove weeds
Yes. Removing weeds will also improve the soil and make it easy for clover to spread.
Best Clovers for Poor Soil
White Clover (White Dutch Clover)
White clover (Trifolium repens) which is also known as White Dutch clover is one of the most known clover varieties in the United States. It is native to Europe and Central Asia. It has been introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
White clover blooms in late spring with small white flowers. Bees are attracted to these flowers. All clover species including white clover can absorb Nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots. This is called Nitrogen fixation. This can quickly add Nitrogen to nutrient-deficient soils.
Benefits of White Clover
- Drought tolerant
- Doesn’t require any pesticides or fertilizer
- Aerates the soil
- Resistant to dog urine
- Non-toxic to humans and pets (Sometimes can contract fungus toxic to horses)
- Grows and spreads aggressively (This can be good or bad, depending on the situation)
Note: White clover is considered invasive in the United States.
Red Clover
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a short-lived perennial. This plant is native to Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia. It is also introduced to North and South America and Chile.
Red clover is often confused with Crimson clover. Red clover has purplish-pink flowers while Crimson clover has deep red flowers.
Benefits of Red Clover
- Drought tolerant
- Attractive flowers. Great choice as an ornamental plant
- Edible leaves and flowers
- Aerates the soil
- Non-toxic
Alsike Clover
Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) is another great clover for poor soil types. Alsike clover is native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia. It has pale pink or whitish flowers. Alsike clover may look like a hybrid between white and red clovers. But it is a separate species, not a hybrid.
Benefits of Alsike Clover
- Grows well in poorly drained soil
- Tolerate more alkaline soil
- Winter hardy
- Tolerate floods for long periods
- Can plant with minimal soil preparation
Microclover (Miniclover)
Microclover or Miniclover (Trifolium repens var. ‘Pirouette’ and ‘Pipolina’), is another great clover for poor soil conditions. Microclover and Miniclover both refer to the same plant. This plant is developed in Denmark and perfect choice for mixing with grass.
Microclover is similar to white clover. But they are smaller and more compact than white clover. Overall, it is a better choice for poor soil than white clover. The only downside is its price.
Benefits of Microclover
- Drought tolerant
- Can grow with grass
- Aerates the soil
- Resistant to dog urine
- Crowds out the weeds
- Reduce erosion
- Cold hardy
- Miniclover is a perennial, white clover which only grows to…
- Miniclo1ver or this micro type clover is a trifolium repens seed used…
Mammoth Red Clover
Mammoth red is a type of red clover. This is a fast-growing clover that is suitable even for really poor soil. This clover species require even less moisture than other red clovers.
Mammoth red clover grows really well in heavy, clayish soils.
Benefits of Mammoth Red Clover
- Fast grower
- Drought resistant
- Tolerate acidic soils than other clovers
- Breaks down clay soils
- Aerate the soil
Last update on 2024-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
