Clover Lawns: The New Trend That Needs Only 4 Cuts a Year
All About Clover Lawns. Wondering about those lawns dotted with tiny white flowers? Those are clover lawns and they’re becoming popular for a good reason!
A clover lawn is simply a lawn that uses clover, or a mix of clover and grass, instead of just traditional grass varieties. Planting clover is similar to planting grass seed, but with a big bonus: it’s much easier and cheaper to maintain in the long run!
Want to spend less time on your lawn? Try switching your grass to clover.
Clover lawns are an easy, eco-friendly alternative to regular turf lawns that can withstand drought and heat. Many homeowners are thinking about adding clover to their lawns to combat common issues caused by climate change. But before you make your lawn “greener” with clover, it’s worth hearing what the experts say about it.
What is a Clover Lawn?
A clover lawn can be all clover or a mix of clover and regular grass. Clover is a type of legume that takes nitrogen from the air and brings it into the soil, which is great for the soil, grass, and nearby plants, according to Jessy, an organic gardening expert and co-founder of SeedsAlp, a garden design firm. Clover grows well in certain hardiness zones in the EU and UK, depending on the variety.
Clover Lawn Pros and Cons
Advantages
This type of lawn has many advantages. For starters, you might already have some clover growing in your grass. Instead of trying to get rid of it, think of it as a gift from nature. The mix of clover and grass promotes biodiversity and attracts pollinators. Plus, if your grass usually turns brown during hot, dry summers, your clover lawn will likely stay green.
Clover lawns are also very resilient. They resist diseases and pests, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. But that’s not all – one of the main attractions of clover lawns is their ability to prevent soil erosion and enhance soil health.
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Disadvantages
Despite the many advantages of clover lawns, there are a few drawbacks. For instance, clover doesn’t handle heavy foot traffic as well as regular grass.
Another thing to consider is that clover attracts honeybees. Since it’s mainly pollinated by insects, if someone in your family is allergic to bees, you might want to think twice about planting a clover lawn.
Choosing the Right Clover for Your Lawn
There are a few popular clover varieties to consider when planting your clover lawn. Each has its own benefits and characteristics:
Dutch White Clover (Trifolium repens): This is the most common type of clover found in lawns. It grows and spreads quickly, especially when planted in spring. It reaches 8-10 inches tall but can be kept shorter with regular mowing.
Microclover (Trifolium repens L): This is a great choice for those wanting a low-maintenance lawn. It’s drought-tolerant, grows densely, and stays shorter (4-6 inches) even with infrequent mowing. Microclover offers the same benefits as Dutch white clover but in a more compact form.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): This is a perennial clover that works well when mixed with other types of clover or even traditional grass. It’s low-maintenance and hardy, growing 12-18 inches tall.
How to Plant a Clover Lawn
You might already have some clover in your grass. However, you can get a thicker lawn by spreading the seeds over your lawn. Planting clover is more successful in the fall, but it can also be done in the spring.
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Start by clearing the area where you want to grow the clover lawn. Remove any existing grass (if you want), weeds, rocks, and debris.
Step 2: Check the Soil pH
Make sure the soil pH is above 6.0. If the soil is too acidic, you can improve it with lime.
Step 3: Spread the Seeds
Spread the clover seeds evenly over the soil.
Follow the instructions on the package for the recommended seeding rate.
You can adjust this rate based on how dense you want your lawn to be.
Step 4: Rake the Seeds
Lightly rake the seeds into the soil. This ensures good contact without burying them too deep.
Step 5: Water the Area
Water the area thoroughly and keep it moist until the seeds germinate. As the clover seedlings start to grow, they will spread and become thicker and denser over time.
Adding Clover to Your Existing Lawn
Clover can be a great addition to your current turfgrass! Here’s how to seamlessly integrate it:
Best Choice: Microclover is your friend here. It thrives with regular mowing and blends well with existing grass.
Seeding Time: Fall is the best time to reseed your lawn with clover.
Simple Steps:
Skip the Grass Seed: Instead of reseeding with grass seed, use clover seed this time around.
Soil Benefits: Clover adds nitrogen to the soil, naturally feeding your grass and eliminating the need for fertilizer.
Bonus Tip: Opt for a lower seeding rate compared to planting a full clover lawn. This ensures a nice balance between the clover and your existing grass.
Maintaining a Clover Lawn
Once established, clover lawns require minimal upkeep. However, there are a few factors to consider for optimal care.
Sunlight
Clover thrives best in full to partial sunlight, but it can also tolerate some shade.
Watering
During the establishment phase, clover requires frequent watering.
Once established, it typically needs watering once or twice a week during dry periods.
Soil
Clover is versatile and can adapt to a wide variety of soil conditions, including compacted or poorly drained soil.
Mowing
With sufficient sunlight, clover is largely self-sustaining. The frequency of mowing can be adjusted based on personal preference:
For a lush green appearance, some homeowners may choose to mow more frequently, before the clover blooms.
For those who prefer a more natural look, similar to an English garden, the clover lawn can be allowed to grow to its maximum height of 8 inches.
Is Clover Good In a Lawn?
Clover is a great teammate for grass! Here’s why: Clover Power: It puts nitrogen in the soil, making your grass greener and healthier. Summer Hero: Unlike grass that gets fried in the heat, clover stays green all summer long, keeping your yard looking good.
Does clover get rid of grass?
Clover can be a contentious plant. If you’re aiming for a uniform lawn, it’s best to eliminate it as clover can compete with your grass for resources like nutrients, sunlight, space, and water. Additionally, clover can draw pests that feed on it to your lawn.
What are the benefits of clover?
Clovers, belonging to the legume family, are abundant in antioxidants. They have been utilized in traditional medicine by various cultures to alleviate joint inflammation and as a remedy for coughs.
What lawn feed kills clover?
A lawn feed combined with a selective weedkiller can control many common broad-leaved weeds in lawns. This Feed and Weed product eliminates clovers, buttercups, dandelions, daisies, and plantains, resulting in a green and healthy lawn.
What is the best clover for poor soil?
Alsike Clover: This clover variety thrives in low, poorly drained soil and can tolerate more alkalinity than most other clovers. Alsike Clover can withstand flooding for extended periods, but prolonged droughts may kill it. It’s an extremely winter-hardy perennial clover.
Will clover take over a lawn?
Similar to dandelions, clover can quickly overrun a lawn if not managed. The patchy appearance that clover gives a lawn can often annoy homeowners because it has a different texture, color, and growth rate compared to turfgrasses.
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