Description
FineFolio Pelleted is the same premium dwarf microclover as FineFolio raw seed — lime-coated for precise, even distribution with a rotary or drop spreader. The pelleting process adds agricultural lime around each seed, making it rounder, heavier, more visible on the soil surface, and significantly easier to spread evenly across larger lawn areas. Non-GMO. USA-grown Trifolium repens dwarf cultivar. Zones 3–9.
Pelleted vs Raw — When to Choose Which
| FineFolio Raw | FineFolio Pelleted | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Hand-sowing small areas | Spreader use on larger lawns |
| Visibility on soil | Very hard to see | Clearly visible — easy to check coverage |
| Spreader compatible | Clogs fine-setting spreaders | Flows freely through rotary & drop spreaders |
| Coverage per lb | More area (no coating weight) | Slightly less (25–30% of weight is coating) |
| Lime benefit | None | Small soil pH buffer at germination zone |
| Seeding accuracy | Good | Excellent — even pellet size = even flow |
| Price | Lower | Slightly higher (pelleting cost) |
Choose FineFolio Pelleted when you are seeding 2,000 sq ft or more, when you want to use a spreader, or when you want to be sure your coverage is even. Choose FineFolio raw when hand-sowing small patches, border strips, or mixing with grass seed at the 5–10% rate.
Seed Specifications
| Species | Form | Leaf size | Zone | Bloom | ASPCA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trifolium repens dwarf | Lime-pelleted seed | 2–4mm (invisible at mow height) | 3–9 | Minimal | Non-toxic ✓ |
Spreader Settings Guide
Because pellet size and weight vary between spreader brands, always do a test pass over a known area and collect seed to verify your actual application rate. These settings are a starting point.
| Spreader type | Setting (pure stand) | Setting (overseed into grass) |
|---|---|---|
| Scotts broadcast spreader | Setting 3–4 | Setting 1.5–2 |
| Earthway broadcast spreader | Setting 10–12 | Setting 5–6 |
| Drop spreader (any brand) | Setting 3 | Setting 1.5 |
| Hand-crank spreader | Medium opening | Small opening |
Always calibrate your specific spreader before sowing over your full lawn. Pellet size and spreader mechanisms vary.
Planting Guide
When to plant
| Region | Spring | Autumn |
|---|---|---|
| Zones 3–5 | April–June | August–September |
| Zones 6–7 | March–May | September–October |
| Zones 8–9 | February–April | October–November |
Sowing steps
- Mow existing lawn to 2 inches. Scarify or dethatch if thatch layer exceeds ½ inch — pellets need contact with soil.
- Set spreader to the appropriate rate (see guide above) and make two passes at right angles for even coverage.
- After sowing, run a lawn roller or tamp firmly to press pellets into the soil surface — contact is essential.
- Water immediately and keep soil moist for 10–14 days until germination is established.
- The lime coating dissolves within 24–48 hours of first watering. After this, the seed behaves identically to raw FineFolio.
- First mow: wait until microclover reaches 4 inches — typically 6–8 weeks after germination.
Coverage Note: Pelleted vs Raw
The lime coating accounts for approximately 25–30% of the weight of each pelleted seed. This means a bag of FineFolio Pelleted contains roughly 70–75% of the actual seed count of a bag of FineFolio raw. The bags above are sized to compensate for this — the Tiny Bag of pelleted delivers similar coverage to the raw Tiny Bag. The pelleting premium covers this difference, plus the convenience of even, spreader-accurate distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same microclover as FineFolio?
Yes — identical seed, identical dwarf Trifolium repens variety, same origin and quality. The only difference is the lime coating applied during pelleting.
Does the lime coating affect soil pH?
At lawn seeding rates, the lime coating contributes a very small amount of lime — not enough to meaningfully change bulk soil pH. It provides a small buffer in the immediate germination zone, which can slightly improve establishment in marginally acidic soils (pH 5.5–6.0).
Can I mix pelleted seed with grass seed in the same spreader hopper?
You can, but the pellets and grass seed will likely separate in the hopper due to different densities. For best results, seed in two passes: grass seed first, then microclover over the top.
