First time trying Dutch White Clover as a lawn alternative — we spread topsoil and seeded on June 4 (12 days ago). Since then, it’s rained almost daily, and we’ve been watering when it hasn’t.
Some spots are starting to fill in nicely (see second pic), but most of the yard looks really sparse (third pic). I was expecting it to look a bit fuller by now, but maybe my expectations are off?
Keys resting on rock in middle of first image for scale. Also, I'm in western PA.
Would love advice from anyone who’s done this before:
- Is this typical growth for the 12-day mark?
- Should I be doing anything differently right now?
- At what point would you consider spot-seeding again?
Thanks in advance, I’m trying to stay patient, but the bare patches are making me nervous.
by Chumbah_Wumbah
6 Comments
Looks like the rain has run over the surface and bunched the seeds up into clumpy areas. Needs resowing on the bare patches.
Typical growth! I would spot seeds some of the sparse areas now. Clover is quite resilient and spreads, so there’s also no harm in giving the spots a bit more time before you spot seed
All your seed washed out bub, you need to have some form of erosion blanket to keep it situated on the slopes.
I’d definitely seed it again and then cover it with straw or mulch to help hold it in place and get it started.
But you have to be careful you’re using a straw or mulch that isn’t full of weedy grass seed.
Something I’ve done before, you can use one of those [bulb shovels](https://a.co/d/4r61bDQ) to take cores out of areas with established clover and then insert the cores into bare areas.
A lot of the seed will have washed away. I wouldn’t worry though, the bits that have taken will soon spread!
Dude with all that empty space please seed some native wildflowers and grasses for the insects. Just mix the seed with a little mulch and scatter. I promise, you’ll love it.