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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Balansa Clover
Annual self-reseeding clover for wet and waterlogged soils. Fixes 80-150 lbs N/acre. Pollinator friendly. Trifolium michelianum. Zones 5-9.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
An annual clover with a secret weapon: waterlogging tolerance. Balansa Clover thrives in wet, poorly drained soils that kill Red Clover, White Clover, and most other legumes. Originally from the Mediterranean, it has proven remarkably adaptable in northern cover crop systems. Its self-reseeding habit means one planting can provide nitrogen fixation for multiple seasons—Balansa produces abundant hard seed that lies dormant and germinates when conditions are right the following year.
Category
Legume
Type
Balansa Clover
Scientific Name
Trifolium michelianum
Zones
5-9 (winter annual in zones 7+; spring annual in zones 5-6)
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
An annual clover with a secret weapon: waterlogging tolerance. Balansa Clover thrives in wet, poorly drained soils that kill Red Clover, White Clover, and most other legumes. Originally from the Mediterranean, it has proven remarkably adaptable in northern cover crop systems. Its self-reseeding habit means one planting can provide nitrogen fixation for multiple seasons—Balansa produces abundant hard seed that lies dormant and germinates when conditions are right the following year.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Inoculate with correct Rhizobium inoculant
Step 2
No specific fertilizer requirement
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Lightly incorporate or press into surface
Step 5
Keep moist during germination
Step 6
Allow to flower and set seed before terminating
Best For
Cover cropping on poorly drained or waterlogged fields|Self-reseeding annual cover crop programs|Wet areas where other clovers fail|Pollinator habitat and bee forage|Nitrogen fixation on challenging wet sites|Interseeding with winter cereals|No-till cover crop systems (self-reseeds into surface)
FAQs
1.
What is Berseem clover?
Balansa clover (Trifolium michelianum) is a self-reseeding annual clover that tolerates waterlogged and poorly drained soils where other clovers fail. Originally from the Mediterranean, Balansa has adapted to wet clay soils that kill white and red clover. It produces abundant seed that remains viable in soil for years, allowing stands to regenerate naturally each fall without reseeding. Its hollow stems allow it to grow through standing water.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Plant Balansa clover in early fall (September-October) in USDA zones 6-8, or in early spring (March-April) in zones 4-6. Balansa requires a period of cool temperatures for establishment and grows actively through winter in mild climates. In northern zones (3-5), treat it as a spring-planted annual that grows through the cool season and dies in summer heat, contributing nitrogen and organic matter to the soil.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Seed Balansa clover at 3-5 lbs per acre as a pure stand or 2-3 lbs per acre in mixes. Balansa seed is small, so shallow planting (0.125-0.25 inches) or surface broadcasting onto a firm seedbed followed by light rolling is ideal. Do not bury seed deeper than 0.25 inches. For cover crop mixes, Balansa pairs well with cereal rye, annual ryegrass, and crimson clover.
4.
Does Balansa clover fix nitrogen?
Yes. Balansa clover fixes 80-150 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually. It requires inoculation with Rhizobium trifolii inoculant (the same group used for white, red, and crimson clover). Nitrogen becomes available to subsequent crops when Balansa is terminated and decomposes. Because Balansa has a relatively low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, it decomposes quickly and releases nitrogen faster than grass cover crops.
5.
Can Balansa clover grow in wet or flooded soil?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
What USDA zones can Balansa clover grow in?
Balansa clover performs best in USDA zones 5-8. In zones 7-8, it functions as a winter annual—planted in fall, growing through winter, and setting seed in spring. In zones 5-6, it is spring-planted and grows through the cool season. In zones 3-4, Balansa may not reliably establish due to short growing seasons, though frost-seeding in early spring can work in protected areas with adequate moisture.