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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf White Clover
Nitrogen-fixing lawn clover—reduces fertilizer needs, fills gaps, stays green in drought. Stoloniferous spreading, pollinator friendly. Trifolium repens. Zones 3-10.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The lawn clover—White Clover is the low-growing, spreading legume that's been a deliberate component of American lawns for decades before herbicide marketing convinced homeowners it was a weed. It fixes 50-150 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually, reducing or eliminating fertilizer needs. Its stoloniferous growth fills gaps, crowds out weeds, tolerates foot traffic, and stays green during drought dormancy that browns out pure grass lawns. White Clover appears in several Tuff Turf mixes (All Purpose, Sandy Soil) specifically for these nitrogen-fixing and gap-filling benefits.
Category
Legume
Type
White Clover
Scientific Name
Trifolium repens
Zones
3-10
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The lawn clover—White Clover is the low-growing, spreading legume that's been a deliberate component of American lawns for decades before herbicide marketing convinced homeowners it was a weed. It fixes 50-150 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually, reducing or eliminating fertilizer needs. Its stoloniferous growth fills gaps, crowds out weeds, tolerates foot traffic, and stays green during drought dormancy that browns out pure grass lawns. White Clover appears in several Tuff Turf mixes (All Purpose, Sandy Soil) specifically for these nitrogen-fixing and gap-filling benefits.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Inoculate with Rhizobium; mow lawn short
Step 2
Do NOT apply nitrogen or broadleaf herbicide
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Do NOT bury—press into surface or light top-dress
Step 5
Keep moist for 2-3 weeks
Step 6
Resume normal mowing once established
Best For
Lawn clover blends (3-10% of mix) for natural nitrogen|Reducing or eliminating lawn fertilizer|Pollinator habitat (excellent bee forage—white flower heads)|Organic and natural lawn care programs|Pasture improvement for livestock|Gap-filling in thin lawns|Erosion control on gentle slopes|Food plots for wildlife (deer, rabbits, turkeys)
FAQs
1.
What is Ladino clover?
Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens) is a low-growing perennial clover that spreads by stolons (above-ground runners), forming a dense mat typically 4-8 inches tall. Unlike red clover which grows upright to 24 inches, white clover stays short and tolerates regular mowing, making it ideal for lawns. Dutch white clover is an intermediate-sized variety—larger than wild white clover but smaller than Ladino clover—offering the best balance of persistence, spread rate, and mowing tolerance for residential use.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Use 0.25-0.5 lbs of white clover seed per 1,000 sq ft when overseeding into an existing lawn. For new seedings mixed with grass, use 1-2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft of the total grass-clover blend (with clover comprising 5-10% of the mix by weight). White clover seed is very small—approximately 800,000 seeds per pound—so a little goes a long way. Mix seed with dry sand for more even distribution when broadcasting by hand.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Yes. White clover fixes 0.5-2 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually (approximately 40-100 lbs N per acre) through its symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. In a lawn containing 20-30% clover coverage, this nitrogen transfer reduces synthetic fertilizer needs by 50-75%. The nitrogen is transferred to companion grasses as clover roots and stolons decompose, creating a slow-release natural fertility cycle.
4.
Will white clover take over my lawn?
White clover will spread to fill thin and bare areas but rarely dominates a healthy, well-maintained lawn. It tends to concentrate in areas where grass is thin due to shade, low fertility, or compaction—essentially filling gaps that grass can't. In a properly managed lawn, clover typically stabilizes at 15-30% of the stand. If clover becomes too dominant, increasing nitrogen fertilization favors grass growth over clover, naturally rebalancing the stand.
5.
Is white clover safe for dogs and kids?
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 does white clover grow in?
White clover thrives in USDA zones 3-10, making it one of the most adaptable legumes available. It performs best in zones 3-7 where cool, moist conditions favor its growth. In zones 8-10, white clover may go semi-dormant during summer heat but typically recovers in fall. It tolerates soil pH from 5.5-7.5 and prefers consistent moisture but survives moderate drought by going dormant and regrowing when moisture returns.