I'm considering planting dwarf white clover on the sides of my ditch. It's low, it's green, and it's pretty (though it may not fit the neighborhood idea of "must look like a little bit of a golf course..."). Any thoughts, including where to get the seed?
white clover
White clover likes slightly acidic soil and cool weather. I couldn't find any local dealers in white clover seed. Also in southern states, white clover behaves like an annual. Hope this link helps answer your questions.
http://cropsoil.psu.edu/extension/facts/agfact22.pdf
Good info, bettydee -- thank you! I'm thinking of trying to establish it between the ditch and the street, and think I can do it. The soil there is the right pH, and clover grows like a weed down here (pun very much intended).
I found a link to an article by Cornell U. which mentions White Dutch clover and even some sites that sell it. Do you plant to overseed it over existing grass?
We used to have some white clover growing in our lawn when we lived near Cincinnati. The authors of the article know their stuff about its attractiveness to bees. I went out barefooted to get the paper and stepped on a bee. That's how I found out I was allergic to bee stings. I hope you have luck getting it established in our zone.
http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/rensselaer/HORT/Fact%20sheets/fs07522x%20white%20clover.htm
Thanks. It grows all over the place here -- I think it's more humid here than it is there. I plan to mix it up with some sandy dirt and fill in some gullies that have eroded the ditch sides. There's not exactly grass there. I believe that if the rain doesn't wash it away it should do the trick. Time will tell, of course.
Edited to say sorry about your allergy! My nephew is allergic and carries an epi-pen wherever he goes. Their dog got stung by something and his face started to swell up and my sister used the epi-pen on the dog. It worked.
This message was edited Jan 24, 2007 2:54 PM
We're trying Dutch White Clover as a lawn alternative. I get the seed here:
http://www.outsidepride.com/store/product.php?productid=16701&cat=297&page=3
Thanks, Prickle! I just ordered two pounds. I really hope this wasn't a stupid idea. I just love it, it's so pretty and grows well down here. It may not do so well in the true heat of summer, but if not, I'll think of something I won't have to mow! My age, my back, and my knee all tell me to leave the ditch alone when mowing.
Let me know how yours does, and I'll report on mine as well.
Thanks again!