MicroTurf | Clover Grass Seed Lawn Mix

MicroTurf is a premium clover grass seed mix and no-mow lawn mix combining fine fescue — Creeping Red, Chewings and Sheep — with inoculated MicroClover (Trifolium repens dwarf cultivar). Non-GMO, USA-grown seed that establishes a self-fertilising, no-mow lawn that looks and functions like a conventional grass lawn. The 2–4mm MicroClover leaves blend invisibly with fine fescue blades at mowing height. The MicroClover fixes nitrogen continuously through inoculated Rhizobium root nodules, eliminating the need for synthetic fertiliser. Germinates in 7–14 days across Zones 3–9.

MicroTurf Seed Specifications

Species	Common Name	Role in Mix	Zone	ASPCA
Festuca rubra (Creeping Red), F. rubra commutata (Chewings), F. ovina (Sheep)	Fine Fescue blend	Structural backbone; naturally low-growing (3–5 in); fine-bladed dark green texture; shade tolerant down to 3 hours sun; drought tolerant once established; no nitrogen input required	3–7	Non-toxic
Trifolium repens dwarf cultivar (pre-inoculated)	MicroClover	Nitrogen fixation ( N/1,000 sq ft/yr via Rhizobium root nodules); 2–4mm leaves invisible at mowing height; weed suppression through dense growth; stolon self-repair; pollinator support at low bloom frequency	3–9	Non-toxic

ASPCA confirmed: Both fine fescue and Trifolium repens are non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses per ASPCA Animal Poison Control. MicroClover pre-inoculated with live Rhizobium leguminosarum bacteria for immediate nitrogen fixation from the first season.

Why Choose a Clover Grass Seed Mix & No-Mow Lawn Mix

MicroTurf is the clover grass seed mix and no-mow lawn mix for homeowners who want a genuinely eco-friendly lawn that still looks like a conventional grass lawn. Fine fescue provides the grass structure — a fine-bladed, naturally low-growing perennial that requires no nitrogen fertiliser and tolerates part shade, drought, and 0–2 mows per year. MicroClover provides the nitrogen — a dwarf cultivar of Trifolium repens specifically bred with 2–4mm leaves that are smaller than a typical grass blade, making them invisible at standard mowing heights. UMN Extension documents fine fescue as one of the lowest-input cool-season grasses available; UMD Extension documents that when MicroClover comprises a meaningful portion of a mixed lawn, it fixes N per 1,000 sq ft per year — equivalent to one to two standard fertiliser applications.

The MicroClover component is pre-inoculated with live Rhizobium leguminosarum bacteria. Inoculation is critical — without the correct Rhizobium strain present in the soil, MicroClover cannot form the root nodules that enable nitrogen fixation. In soils that have not previously grown clover, uninoculated seed may establish visually but delivers no nitrogen benefit. Pre-inoculated seed establishes the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis from the first season, so MicroTurf is self-fertilising immediately rather than after years of soil conditioning.

The MicroClover content in MicroTurf is calibrated to make the nitrogen-fixing system robust and self-sustaining — not a token addition. Most MicroTurf customers eliminate synthetic lawn fertiliser permanently in the first season. The dense, blended texture resists weed establishment far more effectively than fine fescue alone, and the MicroClover stolon network continuously self-repairs bare patches without overseeding.

MicroTurf vs GroundKeep — Which Mix Is Right?

Property	MicroTurf Fine Fescue + MicroClover	GroundKeep Fine Fescue + White Dutch
Clover species	T. repens dwarf — 2–4mm leaf	T. repens standard — 8–15mm leaf
Clover visible at mow height	No — blends invisibly	Yes — visible leaves and bloom
Bloom frequency	Minimal — HOA-compatible	Moderate — May–Sep
N-fixation	High — robust self-fertilising	Moderate — lighter clover loading
Pollinator value	Good — low bloom frequency	Excellent — visible bloom May–Sep
Best for	HOA-compatible eco-lawn, lawn-like appearance, strong N-fixation	Maximum pollinators, visible bloom, true no-mow

Best Uses for MicroTurf Clover Grass Seed & No-Mow Lawn Mix

Application	Performance	Notes
No-mow lawn — eco-friendly with conventional appearance	Excellent	The primary use case. MicroTurf is a no-mow lawn mix that looks and functions like a conventional grass lawn. Fine fescue tops out at 3–5 inches unmowed; MicroClover stays invisible at mowing height. Mow 0–2 times per year or leave entirely.
Eliminating synthetic fertiliser	Excellent	MicroClover pre-inoculated — nitrogen fixation begins in the first season. Fine fescue requires no nitrogen input. Most customers eliminate all synthetic lawn fertiliser permanently after year one.
Part shade — down to 3 hours sun	Excellent	Fine fescue is the most shade-tolerant cool-season grass. MicroClover tolerates part shade comfortably. The best eco-mix for lawns under light tree canopy or north-facing aspects.
Pet-friendly lawn	Excellent	Both species ASPCA non-toxic. MicroClover stolon network self-repairs worn patches. Handles moderate pet traffic well.
Weed suppression	Excellent	The dense combination of fine fescue and MicroClover leaves almost no open soil for weed germination. Outperforms fine fescue alone or MicroClover alone for weed exclusion.
Zone 8–9 warm-season lawns	Not ideal	Fine fescue goes semi-dormant in Zone 8+ summer heat. For warm zones see HearthClover White Dutch or StrawberryField Strawberry Clover.

Zone & Climate Compatibility

Zone	Performance	Notes
Zone 3–5	Excellent	Both species cold-hardy. Fine fescue stays semi-evergreen in mild winters. Seed Apr–May or Aug–Sep. Strongest no-mow performance in cool northern zones.
Zone 5b–7	Excellent	Peak performance. Fall seeding (Aug–Sep) preferred for strongest establishment. Full coverage by spring. MicroClover nitrogen cycle fully active from year one.
Zone 7b–8	Marginal	Fine fescue goes semi-dormant in summer heat above Zone 7b. MicroClover continues but cannot sustain the stand alone. Fall seeding (Sep–Oct) gives best results in Zone 7b.

How to Plant MicroTurf

Both species germinate in 7–14 days at soil temperatures of 50–65°F. MicroClover typically germinates first at 7–10 days; fine fescue follows at 10–14 days. Fall seeding (Aug–Sep) gives strongest first-season establishment in most zones. Spring seeding (Apr–May) works well in Zones 3–5.

1. Prepare or mow short. For bare soil, rake smooth and firm lightly. For overseeding, scalp-mow existing grass to 1–1.5 inches and remove clippings to expose the soil surface.
2. Broadcast at the surface. Sow per 1,000 sq ft broadcast evenly across the surface. Do not bury — both fine fescue and MicroClover require light soil surface contact to germinate.
3. Rake lightly for soil contact. A single pass with a leaf rake is sufficient. Do not cover deeply.
4. Water lightly and consistently. Keep the surface moist with two light waterings per day for 7–14 days until germination. Do not allow the surface to dry between waterings.
5. Hold mowing for 6–8 weeks. Allow both species to root before the first mow. Set blades to 3 inches minimum — never scalp a fine fescue lawn.
6. Mow 2–4 times per year thereafter. Fine fescue naturally tops out at 3–5 inches. MicroClover stays below mowing height. Mow to 2.5–3 inches when tidy appearance is required. Do not mow below 2 inches.

For the full clover grass mix overseeding guide see our Clover Grass Mix Overseeding Guide →. For establishment and mowing advice for no-mow lawns see our No-Mow Lawn Guide →

Single-species clover:

FineFolio MicroClover

HearthClover White Dutch

StrawberryField Strawberry Clover

ScarletStitch Crimson Clover

Multi-clover blends:

TriLeaf Three-Clover Mix

CloverCore Dual-Clover Mix

Clover-grass mixes:

GroundKeep No-Mow Mix

CloverSport High Traffic Mix