Are you tired of spending endless hours maintaining your grass lawn? Do you want to make a positive impact on the environment while still having a beautiful and healthy lawn?
Then it’s time to consider switching to a clover lawn!
First, What is a Clover Lawn?
Clover lawns have been gaining popularity in recent years due to their numerous benefits over traditional grass lawns. They have benefits such as easier maintenance, less water and fertilizer needs, and being more drought-tolerant than grass lawns due to their deep root system.
Additionally, clover lawns attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them a more environmentally-friendly option.
From easier maintenance to improved sustainability, we’ll cover all the benefits of making the switch to a clover lawn.
So, if you’re tired of the constant headaches that come with maintaining a grass lawn, keep reading to find out why a clover lawn may be the perfect solution for you.
3 Types of Clover Used for Lawns
- White clover (Trifolium repens) – This is the most popular type of clover for lawns. It is a low-growing perennial that is often mixed with grass seed to create a more resilient and drought-resistant lawn.
- Red clover (Trifolium pratense) – This type of clover is taller than white clover and has a deeper root system. It is also a perennial and can be mixed with grass seed to create a more diverse and sustainable lawn.
- Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) – This type of clover is a hybrid of white and red clover. It is also a low-growing perennial and is often used in areas with wet or poorly drained soil.
17 reasons why a clover lawn is better than a grass lawn
1. Clover is More Drought Resistant
Clover is more drought-resistant than grass. It has a deeper root system that allows it to access water from deeper in the soil. This means that clover can survive longer periods of drought without needing to be watered.
2. Clover Attracts Pollinators
Clover is a great source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. By planting a clover lawn, you can help support the local ecosystem and promote biodiversity in your area.
3. Clover is Easier to Maintain
Clover is easier to maintain than grass. It grows more slowly than grass, so it doesn’t need to be mowed as often. And because it’s more drought-resistant, it doesn’t need to be watered as often either.
4. Clover is More Affordable
Clover is more affordable than grass. It’s less expensive to buy clover seed than grass seed, and it doesn’t require as much maintenance, which can save you money on lawn care in the long run.
5. Clover is More Environmentally Friendly
Clover is more environmentally friendly than grass. It doesn’t require as much water or fertilizer as grass, which means it has a smaller environmental impact. And because it attracts pollinators, it can help support the local ecosystem.
6. Clover Does Not Require Fertilizers
Clover doesn’t require fertilizers like grass does. It can fix nitrogen in the soil, which means it can get the nutrients it needs without the use of synthetic fertilizers.
7. Clover Does Not Require Pesticides
Clover doesn’t require pesticides like grass does. It’s more resistant to pests and diseases than grass, which means it’s less likely to need chemical treatments to stay healthy.
8. Clover Can Fix Nitrogen in the Soil
Clover can fix nitrogen in the soil. This means that it can help improve the health of the soil by adding nutrients that other plants can use.
9. Clover Can Improve Soil Health
Clover can improve soil health by adding organic matter to the soil. This can help improve soil structure and water retention, which can make it easier for plants to grow.
10. Clover Can Grow in Poor Soil
Clover can grow in poor soil. It’s more tolerant of acidic or alkaline soil than grass, which means it can grow in areas where grass might struggle.
11. Clover is More Resistant to Traffic
Clover is more resistant to traffic than grass. It can handle foot traffic and even moderate vehicle traffic without being damaged.
12. Clover is More Resistant to Disease
Clover is more resistant to disease than grass. It’s less likely to be affected by common lawn diseases like brown patch or dollar spot.
13. Clover is More Resistant to Weeds
Clover is more resistant to weeds than grass. It can outcompete many common lawn weeds, which means you’ll have fewer weeds to deal with if you plant a clover lawn.
14. Clover is More Resistant to Insects
Clover is more resistant to insects than grass. It’s less likely to be affected by common lawn pests like chinch bugs or grubs.
15. Clover is More Resistant to Heat
Clover is more resistant to heat than grass. It can handle hot, dry weather better than grass, which means it’s a good choice for areas with hot summers.
16. Clover is More Resistant to Cold
Clover is more resistant to cold than grass. It can handle freezing temperatures better than grass, which means it’s a good choice for areas with cold winters.
17. Clover is More Aesthetically Pleasing
Clover is more aesthetically pleasing than grass. It has a softer texture and a more varied color than grass, which can give your lawn a more natural, organic look.
6 FAQs About A Clover Lawn
How do I plant a clover lawn?
Planting a clover lawn is relatively easy. You can plant clover seeds directly onto the soil. Before planting, make sure to prepare the soil by removing any debris and loosening the soil. Clover prefers well-draining soil, so make sure the area is not prone to waterlogging.
After planting, keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
What types of clover are best for a lawn?
There are various clover types suitable for lawns, with white clover and Dutch clover being the most popular. White clover, a low-growing perennial with small, white flowers, can withstand foot traffic.
Dutch clover is also low-growing and has a larger, pink flower. Both types of clover are nitrogen-fixing, which means they can help fertilize the soil naturally.
How do I maintain a clover lawn?
Maintaining a clover lawn is relatively low maintenance. Clover does not require as much water or fertilizer as traditional grass lawns, but it still needs some care.
Make sure to mow the lawn regularly to keep it looking neat and tidy and to prevent the clover from getting too tall. Avoid using herbicides or pesticides, as they can harm the clover and other beneficial insects.
Are clover lawns suitable for all climates?
Clover lawns can be grown in a variety of climates, but they tend to do best in areas with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall. They can tolerate some drought but may struggle in areas with very hot, dry summers or very cold winters.
Do clover lawns attract bees?
Clover is a popular food source for bees and other pollinators, so planting a clover lawn can help attract them to your yard. However, if you or anyone in your household is allergic to bees, it may not be the best choice.
Can clover lawns be used for high-traffic areas?
Clover lawns can be used for high-traffic areas, as they are more tolerant of foot traffic than traditional grass lawns. However, it’s still important to avoid overuse and to provide some rest periods to allow the clover to recover.
3 Downsides To A Clover Lawn
While clover lawns may seem like the perfect solution for those who want a lush, green lawn without the hassle of traditional grass, there are several downsides to consider before making the switch.
Brown Patches in Summer
Clover is a cool-season plant that does not handle heat and drought well. When the temperature rises, and there is not enough moisture, clover can go dormant, resulting in brown patches in the lawn. This can detract from the overall appearance of the lawn and make it look unkempt.
Clover Flowers Can Be Unsightly
While clover flowers may look attractive at first, they can quickly become unsightly. The flowers are small and white, but they can turn brown and mushy when they die, leaving an unappealing mess on the lawn.
Interferes with Other Plant Growth
Clover is known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which can be beneficial for other plants in the area. However, it can also interfere with the growth of other plants in your yard. Clover has a tendency to spread quickly and can quickly take over other areas of your lawn or garden.
If you have other plants or flowers in your yard that you want to grow and flourish, a clover lawn may not be the best option for you.
In Conclusion
There are many reasons why a clover lawn is better than a grass lawn (for some people). Clover lawns require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than grass lawns, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Additionally, clover lawns are more resilient to drought, pests, and diseases, which means they are more likely to thrive in a variety of conditions.
For some people, clover lawns are more attractive and beneficial to wildlife than grass lawns. The white flowers produced by clover attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help to support local ecosystems.
Additionally, clover lawns are more shade-tolerant than grass lawns, making them a great option for areas with partial shade or limited sunlight.
Overall, if you are looking for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and attractive lawn option, clover is definitely worth considering.
Hello Matt,
read your article on a clover yard, have a question for you. I grew up visiting my grandparents in St. Louis, MO. There were yards in their neighbor hood that had step tresses, and they would plant something that my grandfather called graveyard moss once it was established it would grow thich with no grass coming through, so did not need to be cut on the hill. thought it was a pretty type of yard, it would have small purple flowers in the spring. Have you heard or seen this type of yard and your view of this on a flatter yard. Thank you