Clover Lawns: A Beautiful, Eco-Friendly Alternative to Grass
Are you looking to move away from a traditional grass lawn? Do you want a green, lush yard with less mowing, watering, and fertilizing? A clover lawn may be the perfect alternative.
While often considered a weed, clover offers many attributes that make it an ideal lawn substitute. Its low growth habit, drought tolerance, and nitrogen fixing abilities allow it to thrive with less input than standard turfgrasses.
In this guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of clover lawns, the best types to grow, and tips for establishing and caring for a clover yard. Read on to see if converting your lawn to clover could be right for you!
Why Choose Clover Over Grass?
There are many reasons clover makes an excellent alternative lawn choice:
Lower maintenance – Clover needs mowing just once a month and tolerates drought with less watering. Fertilizing is rarely necessary thanks to its nitrogen-fixing ability.
Soft and comfortable – Its low growth and soft texture create pleasant spaces for kids, pets, and bare feet.
Stays green – Clover retains its verdant color in cool weather and dry spells when grass goes dormant.
Pollinator friendly – The flowers provide nectar that attracts and supports bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Erosion control – Clover’s extensive root system stabilizes soil and prevents erosion on slopes and banks.
Naturally weed resistant – When grown in, clover forms a dense mat that crowds out other weeds.
Cost effective – Clover seed is inexpensive to purchase compared to grass seed. Lower input needs translate to cost savings.
For many homeowners, clover’s resilience and ecological benefits outweigh the perceived messiness. If you’re ready to ditch high-maintenance grass, a clover lawn offers a lush, eco-friendly alternative.
Challenges of Clover Lawns
While clover has many advantages, there are a few challenges to consider:
Messy look when uncontrolled – Proper mowing and maintenance is key to prevent a weedy, overgrown appearance.
Not always green – During extreme cold or hot/dry spells, clover will go dormant and brown until conditions improve.
Requires reseeding – Clover acts as an annual or short-lived perennial, requiring reseeding each year to sustain thickness.
Susceptible to clover mites – These tiny pests feed on clover leaves. Occasional insecticidal soap sprays may be needed for control.
Staining potential – Morning dew on clover can release purple pigment that stains light clothing.
Aggressive spreader – Clover can encroach into nearby garden beds, lawns and pathways if not controlled at the edges.
With realistic expectations about its appearance and lifecycle, these drawbacks can be managed through attentive care. The benefits often make the tradeoffs worthwhile.
Best Clover Varieties for Lawns
Selecting suitable clover varieties tailored to your climate is key:
White clover – Low-growing white Dutch clover is the most popular choice for lawns. Dwarf varieties under 6 inches tall are best for traffic tolerance.
Microclover – These extra-dwarf white clover cultivars like ‘Mini’ and ‘Cloverlawn’ grow under 3 inches tall. Well-suited for full lawns.
Red clover – Grows taller to 1-2 feet with impressive flower heads. Best for low traffic perimeter areas. Not durable for heavily trafficked lawns.
Seek out rhizobium-inoculated seed to ensure effective nitrogen fixation. Purchase high quality, reputable seed sources for best germination and growth.
How to Establish a Clover Lawn
Converting to clover takes patience. There are two main approaches:
Overseed existing lawn – Mow grass short, scalp if necessary. Apply 5-10 lbs/1000 sq ft clover seed in spring or fall. Water frequently for 3-4 weeks until established.
New lawn seeding – Remove existing grass/weeds entirely. Till soil, level, and rake smooth. Seed clover at a high rate of 8-10 lbs/1000 sq ft. Water daily until germination.
Expect full establishment to take 1-2 years. Initiate management practices like monthly mowing and irrigation adjustments right away to encourage clover to thrive.
Caring for Your Clover Lawn
Follow these tips for a healthy, beautiful clover lawn:
Mow at 3-4 inch height – Never scalp below 2 inches. Leave clippings for organic nitrogen.
Water during drought – Clover is drought tolerant but occasional watering prevents dormancy.
Reseed thin patches – Scatter seed in spring and fall to fill in bare areas as clover acts as an annual.
Control edges – Use edging or manual removal to prevent clover from invading other lawn areas and garden beds.
Weed by hand – Avoid herbicides that inhibit clover. Frequent hand weeding controls invaders.
Inspect for pests – Watch for clover mites, aphids, armyworms and other pests. Treat with insecticidal soap sprays as needed.
Fertilize minimally – Apply a half rate, slow release organic formula only if chlorosis symptoms appear.
Adjust expectations – Accept some untidiness and color fluctuations as clover transitions through seasons and life cycles.
With proper variety selection and attentive care practices, a clover lawn can provide beauty and functionality with less labor and resources than traditional grass.
If you’re seeking an eco-friendly, low maintenance alternative, converting to a clover lawn could be an excellent choice. With realistic expectations about its appearance and lifecycle, you can enjoy lush green coverage with less mowing, watering, and fertilizing compared to standard turfgrasses.
Fun Fact:
White clover was first brought to the United States by European settlers in the late 17th century. Early colonists valued clover as a forage crop for livestock, recognizing its ability to thrive and replenish nitrogen in poor soils.
As home lawns became more commonplace, white clover’s hardy nature allowed it to spread readily among the grass. Its benefits of added nitrogen, staying green in winter, and soft texture made clover a welcome component in many early American yards.
In fact, clover was so ubiquitous that a dense lawn intermixed with clover plants was considered the sign of an affluent home in the 1800s. Homeowners who could afford full-time gardeners to keep their lawns trimmed and green were envied for their clover-dotted yards.
So next time you see a lawn with a healthy population of clover, remember it’s a tradition harkening back to Colonial times! The lowly clover has long served as a hardy, beneficial lawn plant in American yards.
FAQ:
What are the benefits of a clover lawn?
- Lower maintenance, less mowing, fixes nitrogen, stays green in winter, soft texture, drought tolerant, supports pollinators
What are the downsides of clover lawns?
- Can appear messy or weedy when overgrown, requires reseeding annually, browns in extreme heat/cold, susceptible to clover mites, stains clothing
What type of clover is best for lawns?
- White clover and microclover are best suited for lawns. Choose dwarf varieties under 6 inches tall. Red clover grows too tall for heavily trafficked turf.
How do you establish a clover lawn?
- Overseed clover into existing grass or remove grass completely and seed clover from scratch. Full establishment takes 1-2 years.
How do you care for a clover lawn?
- Mow at 3-4 inches, water during droughts, reseed bare spots, manually control edges, hand pull weeds, inspect for pests, fertilize minimally if needed.
What’s better clover or grass?
- It depends on your goals and preferences! Clover provides resilience and ecological benefits with less maintenance but requires acceptance of some messiness.
Achieve the Lush Lawn of Your Dreams with Expert Lawn Services:
In conclusion, a clover lawn offers many advantages as an eco-friendly alternative to high-maintenance grass. But clover’s messiness and short life cycle also present challenges requiring thoughtful care. By selecting suitable clover varieties, following best establishment and maintenance practices, and setting realistic expectations, you can cultivate a thriving clover lawn with less input than traditional turfgrasses. If you need assistance converting your existing lawn or have any other clover questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of lawn care experts can help advise the best clover solutions so you can successfully enjoy the benefits of lush clover coverage in your yard. With proper guidance, you can create a beautiful clover lawn that thrives season after season with minimal mowing, watering, and fertilizing required.
