Knowledgebase

Clover lawn #859659

Asked February 22, 2024, 3:08 PM EST

Hi- we are building a new home and looking at lawn seeding options. I would like a clover lawn for all the disturbed areas. In the areas that weren't disturbed by the build, I would like to re-hab with a wild flower field. We have a mixture of immature trees on site that we'd like to preserve. Is there anyone who can help us write a plan to accomplish this, including budget, and teach us some best methods for controlling grapevine, buckthorn, poising ivy and multiflora rose?

Livingston County Michigan

Expert Response

There are not people at MSU who can help you directly, but I'll try to give you links to articles that you can learn from to do much of it your selves.  You could also inquire at a local garden center to see if they know of individuals offering this service.
Once the yard around your new house is final graded the first step you should take is to do a soil test. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs, look great and at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Tell them it's for a new build yard that will include clover.
These links will tell you more about seeding your yard:
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU - the steps you need to take from seeding timing through mowing and weed control
Turfgrass species ID & Cultivar Selection (E2912)-MSU - info on seed varieties, their uses, cultivars and recommended turf grass mixtures
Choosing the Right Grass Seed for a Thriving Lawn-Illinois
Lawn Establishment Steps-PSU
Seeding & Sodding Home Lawns-UMN
Planting & Maintaining A Bee Lawn-UMN - info on clover in the lawn (a good idea)
Lawns & Microclover-UMaryland
Spring Lawn Seeding-OSU - I included this as fyi.  I believe the best time to seed a new lawn is about 20AUG with a mulch and begin irrigation until fall's cooler temperature and rains come.
Now lets turn our attention to the wild flower field...
You should identify the immature trees and consider how big they may become at maturity.  You'll want to consider removing the plants you noted above as they can be invasive and will overcome the wildflowers you wish to establish. 
Control info in the links below:
Poison Ivy in Michigan-MSU - how to control poison ivy and grapevine
https://www.michiganinvasives.org/gillscisma/ - (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) can provide information on identification and control of invasive plants and may have tools  available for loan to remove invasives.  You are in the GILS CISMA.
Controlling Buckthorn-UMn 
Common Buckthorn in Michigan - MSU
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/drive-by-botany-black-locust-and-multiflora-rose
Control of Multiflora Rose-OSU 
Multiflora Rose Control-PSU 
Wild Grape Control - PSU
Establishing a wildflower field from seed is a multi-year process.  First the existing vegetation must be killed (including dormant seeds in the soil).  Then a seed mix is sown on the soil in the winter to cold stratify seeds so they will germinate next spring.  Growth height is controlled this first year to prevent weeds from going to seed.  Finally the second spring you'll begin to see fruit from your labors!
Info on establishing a native wildflower field:
Pollinator Habitat Est & Mgmt Guide - download the guide book
Establishing Pollinator Habitat-MSU
Native Prairie planting example-MSU
Native Plants & Insects-MSUEs
Michigan Natural Features Inventory - MSU
Native Plants for MI Landscapes-Shrubs - also consider elderberry, service berry and chokecherry shrubs as they attract native birds with their fruit .
You can also contact Prairie Moon Nursery (prairie moon.com) and Prairie Nursery (prairienursery.com) to get their catalogs as both sell a variety of native plant seed mixes. They also have good instructions on proper site preparation and seeding steps. Other more local seed/plant sources include Michigan Wildflower Farm (michiganwildflowerfarm.com), Wildtypes (wildtypeplants.com) and East Michigan Native Plants (eastmichnatives.com). MSU Extension does not endorse any retailers or brands.
Links to info on landscape design:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/landscape-planning/
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/landscape-design
https://plantsciences.montana.edu/horticulture/ASHS_Teaching_MethodsWG/Landscape-Design/Vendrame_Basic%20Principles%20of%20Landscape%20Design.pdf
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/residential-landscape-design/
Dick M. Replied February 24, 2024, 9:10 PM EST

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