May be a stupid question...

kara_leigh · #1 04/12/11, 02:48 PM

...but where do you buy clover seed?

We moved here a month ago, on 5 acres, with about 1.5 acre as the "yard". This house hasn't been lived in for 2 years, so the yard has neglected. Directly in front of the house there is some nice blue grass, but in other areas it is completely bare or sparse, and you can't walk across it without shoes b/c it hurts. It's been kept mowed and isn't overgrown, but could still use some help. I've heard that planting clover is a good ground cover for yards, and you can tell when to mow it b/c it flowers.

My husband and I would like to do this, but we have no idea where to buy clover seed...or if that is even how you do it. Sorry if I sound stupid. We've never done anything like this before. We both had grandparents that lived on farms and spent a lot of time there, but we weren't in charge of stuff like this.

Also...the driveway has grown over. In aerial shots from Mapquest and such, you can see that there used to be a very nice defined driveway. The rock is still there (SW Missouri, so it's the brown/red rock), but is there an efficient way to get rid of the weeds? Driving on it is helping and some areas are better than others. Would it be better to put more rock down, or spray something to get rid of the weeds?

Thanks!!!

sammyd · #2 04/12/11, 03:06 PM

you can order it online from R H Shumway.
You could stop by the local feed mill and ask them
You could check your local horsey type feed and seed store and ask them

GoatsRus · #3 04/12/11, 03:11 PM

We bought clover seed from the co-op.

Bearfootfarm · #4 04/12/11, 03:59 PM

Most any seed store can order it.

It's not cheap, but it doesn't take much for most varieties.

10 lbs of Dutch White Clover will plant an acre

mekasmom · #5 04/12/11, 04:23 PM

I get it at the farm supply store for about $4 a pound. I sprout it, and have planted lots of it too.

TooManyHobbies! · #6 04/12/11, 05:04 PM

Here are some sources:

Quite a few sources available on Amazon.com for small quantities of clover.

Or, large amounts from Rural King...

http://www.ruralking.com/50-lb-bag-m...37303330303937

50 lbs $79.99

Here's an (expensive) variety called Kura Clover
http://www.welterseed.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=48

PNWest · #7 04/12/11, 08:14 PM

Please consider carefully your idea to use clover in your house lawn.
Clover will attract many bees; not a wise idea if young children or yourself wish to walk barefoot.

Places like Lowes/Home depot have sacks of seeding grass. Ace/True Value/Walmart, some come with fertilizer included.

jlrbhjmnc · #8 04/12/11, 08:53 PM

http://www.southernexposure.com/

Old Vet · #9 04/12/11, 09:27 PM

In the spring and early summer I have about 1/2 clover in my yard. It grows quick and if you keep it mowed back until it bloomed it will take all your time. I let mine get about 10 inches before mowing when it bloomed so that their will be seed for next year. I have a white clover and red clover scattered over my yard.

Danaus29 · #10 04/13/11, 02:22 AM

I bought some from Gardens Alive, local feed stores carry it too.

Ditto on the bee comment. I stepped on quite a few in my barefoot times. Latest was just a couple years ago.

sunflower-n-ks · #11 04/13/11, 06:44 AM

Different clovers have different plant forms. I have some red clover growing here that gets around 24 inches tall. Know what you are buying.

Any type store that supplies farmers should have or can order it. I have seen it listed on CL around here.

countryboy84 · #12 04/13/11, 07:13 AM

Southern States is where I get all my grass type seeds. As for the drive depends if it is just weeds then 2-4-D spray will killit easy and fast. If it is just gras use round up. But for both you can mix round up and cross bow which works well. But if there are any small bushes then you can hit is so GLY-4 and it will kill everything in the driveway.

big rockpile · #13 04/13/11, 07:19 AM

Go to your local MFA they will help you with Clover Seed and answer any questions you might have.

As far as Driveway sounds like you have Creek Gravel Limestone will be better look in the Phone Book under Sand and Gravel call the Local Quarry tell them what your needing gravel for they will help you as far as suggestions Load should cost between $180 and $200 and cover about 300-330 feet.

big rockpile

KMA1 · #14 04/13/11, 12:20 PM

Lots of answers on the clover. You can put down more gravel, but the least expensive thing to do would be to just mow the weeds down. As you use the driveway, it should kill the weeds. And mowing before they bloom will eventually kill out most annual plants, which most common weeds are.

silverbackMP · #15 04/14/11, 08:32 AM

You probably want a form of dutch white clover for a lawn.

oregon woodsmok · #16 04/14/11, 02:29 PM

I buy perennial clover seed from the local seed company (where farmers buy their seed). They will sell seed by the pound so I don't have to purchase a 100 pound bag.

Be sure to purchase either treated seed or buy the innoculant and treat the seed before you plant.

There is annual clover available, so be sure to ask for perennial. Either way, you'll have bees in your lawn going after the clover blossoms. I plant clover in my orchard specifically to attract and feed the bees.

You didn't ask, but I buy lawn and pasture seed directly from the seed grower. About 25 cents a pound, instead of $2 a pound at the seed store.

big rockpile · #17 04/14/11, 03:23 PM

Ok after thinking about thios your Clover the last of July will look Bad.I got a Lawn Mix at MFA by the pound that did well.Or just go with KY31 will grow well and won't die in Missouri soil,just want to keep it mowed.

big rockpile

Maura · #18 04/14/11, 07:06 PM

Ask what will grow well in your area and mix the clover with that.

big rockpile · #19 04/14/11, 07:58 PM

Looks like the nearest place is at the Mule Barn in Hollister.Me I'm partial to MFA because I was a Seedsman for years with them,the closest one is in Ozark.

big rockpile

kara_leigh · #20 04/14/11, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big rockpile

Looks like the nearest place is at the Mule Barn in Hollister.Me I'm partial to MFA because I was a Seedsman for years with them,the closest one is in Ozark.

big rockpile

Quote:

Originally Posted by big rockpile

Ok after thinking about thios your Clover the last of July will look Bad.I got a Lawn Mix at MFA by the pound that did well.Or just go with KY31 will grow well and won't die in Missouri soil,just want to keep it mowed.

big rockpile

Great, thanks!! Ozark is where we do most of our shopping, so that's probably where we would go. Forsyth is closer, but they don't have a Walmart or anything like that.

Does MFA stand for anything? So, do we just spread the lawn mix and let it grow? Does it need to be watered or anything?

As for clover attracting bees...we have these purple flowers growing all over our yard right now that are around 3" taller than the rest of the grass, and our yard is covered in bees and butterflies. We're used to having to wearing shoes, and I don't like walking barefoot in grass anyway.

The bees wouldn't bother me, plus it would be great for once I put in a garden.