Mow less and benefit wildlife with a clover lawn! Learn the basics about this increasingly popular and polllinator friendly lawn option.
Imagine taking a step in your bare feet into a backyard brimming with pillowy clover. You can make this a reality. There’s keen interest in replacing turf grass with a clover lawn. One can understand why. It’s flowers are promising for pollinators and it provides a habitat for bugs, small frogs and other local wildlife.
Clover Lawn Benefits
Clover lawns provide numerous benefits. People are searching for an alternative to traditional lawns and looking for something more sustainable that doesn’t require chemicals, constant watering or weekly mowing.
Starting Clover Lawns: Things to Consider
For those with kids who play in their yards, clover won’t handle wear and tear as well. Additionally, gardeners must be careful with herbicides. Broadleaf herbicides kill the clover as well as any other weeds. Importantly, you may need to contain your clover. If you are right next to a manicured yard, your neighbor might not love it. Try adding garden space or installing borders to stop the spread.
Clover is generally safe, even if consumed in small amounts. Certain varieties, like red clover, can cause mild digestive issues for dogs, so talk to your veterinarian if you are considering this switch.
How to Plant a Clover Lawn
Having the swap professionally done can be time consuming and expensive. To cut costs, try replacing grass in small segments, or consider overseeding the turf for a slow, steady approach.
Clover comes in many varieties such as white, red, sweet and microclover. Most can be paired with Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, red, tall or hard fescue, and perennial ryegrass.
Maintenance Plan for a Clover Lawn
For thick, lush clover, water is required at times. And you may need to hand-pull certain weeds, such as the invasive creeping Charlie, to keep them from taking over. On the whole, clover is relatively low maintenance.
Picking Your Perfect Clover
Clover comes in many varieties. Some, such as white clover and red clover, are recommended for bee lawns and cover crops but may have aggressive spreading habits.
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