Gardeners are rethinking their lawns as they discover the benefits of clover. Where once they struggled to feed and maintain thirsty turf lawns, yanking out interloping clovers, many are flipping that idea, creating lawns of environmentally friendly, easy-care clover.

Clover lawns make a great sustainable alternative to a turf grass lawn. I sowed annual crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) in my tomato containers in fall to help refresh the tired soil for the next season.

Clovers rarely need mowing, stay mainly green and create a nourishing playground for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Acting like natural fertilizers, clovers improve the soil by retaining nitrogen.

Ahead, find tips on choosing and growing perennial clover lawns.

What are Clovers?

In the Fabaceae (pea) family, clovers are legumes, just like beans, and can capture nitrogen while boosting the availability of other nutrients in the soil. Some are also used as a nutrition livestock feed and to create popular clover honey. Considered a lawn weed for years, we now know how many benefits a clover lawn can offer.

Types of Clovers

There are over 300 species of clover, but the most popular ones for lawns are:

White clover, Dutch white clover (Trifolum repens)

Hardy in USDA Zones 3-10, this perennial clover is one of the most popular clovers to use in — or instead of — a lawn. It grows about 3-6 inches tall without mowing, and the creamy white ball-shaped flowers support bees and beneficial insects. It may also be used as as cover crop (a living soil amendment), a moisture-retentive ground cover, for erosion control, or in a pasture mixture to feed livestock. You can find the seed in “no-mow” or “flowering” lawn mixes, or solo.

Microclover/Miniclover (Trifolum repens var. ‘Pipolina’)

A variant of white clover, microclover ‘Pipolina’ has smaller leaves and a denser habit, creating a more opaque”lawn-like” appearance. Cold hardy in USDA Zones 3-8, microclover grows 3-6 inches tall. Its robust growth discourages weeds and is suitable for high-traffic areas, staying green from spring-fall. It flowers less often than standard white clover. Mowing encourages even smaller leaves.

What type of clover should I plant?

For a looser, meadowy look, opt for white clover, and rarely mow it. For a more lush, green carpet akin to a traditional lawn or to accommodate playing kids and dogs, go for microclover, which thickens up with occasional mowing.

Clover Lawn Pros and Cons

Pros:

A chief benefit of clover lawns is their winning combination of being more low-maintenance and environmentally friendly than turf lawns.

“As a legume, clover can fix nitrogen, meaning it can take nitrogen found in the air and transfer it into a form usable within the soil,” says True Leaf Market’s Ashleigh Smith. “When interplanted with grass, it helps feed the lawn and reduces the need for fertilizer. Horticulturist Laura Matter, of Seattle’s Tilth Alliance, also appreciates their long-lasting flowers that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Main pros of a clover lawn:

• Needs less water, mowing, and fertilizer than conventional lawns
• Soft and cushy underfoot
• More drought-tolerant than turf grass
• It feeds pollinators.
• It has beautiful summer flowers.

Cons:

“While clover has many benefits, it is harder to establish than grass,” says Smith. “Many people find it can take multiple seasons of sowing to obtain even clover coverage. But once established, it tends to thrive.” Matter agrees, saying, “Starting clover is the trickiest part.”

Main cons of a clover lawn:

• It’s slower to establish than grass
• It may not take foot traffic as well as turf grass; microclover is best, but still not as tough as turf.
• Because clover attracts bees, avoid when clover is blooming if you or a family member has a bee allergy; others may opt to wear shoes during flowering.
• It may go dormant and brown from winter through early spring in cold areas. Smith recommends mixing clover with lawn in freezing regions.

How to Plant a Clover Lawn

It is best to seed the clover lawn in the early spring once the chance of frost has passed. Clover prefers a pH of 6-7. Prepare the growing area by clearing any debris and leveling it. Remove existing grass and weeds that will outcompete the seedlings if seeding a complete clover lawn. If mixing lawn and clover, mow the grass to about an inch tall and dethatch the area with a rake.

When sowing the seeds, consider mixing them with sand for more even spreading. Broadcast the seeds over the growing area and gently rake them into the soil so they can draw moisture from it. Keep the soil moist until the clover becomes established.

FAQ

Are clover lawns good for pets?

The clovers above are considered safe for pets, although alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) can be toxic to horses, according to the Association for Prevention of Cruelty in Animals. Smith notes, “They often stand up to pet urine better than common grass does.”

How long does it take to grow a clover lawn?

Your clover may sprout in as few as 7 days, but the roots may take several months to establish and fill in. You may need to resow to bolster any empty patches. Regular watering is essential.

About the Experts

• Laura Matter, a practicing horticulturist for 45 years, leads the Natural Yard Care program for Tilth Alliance in Seattle, WA, a nonprofit working “to build a sustainable, healthy and equitable food future.” She holds a B.A. in botany and led a landscape maintenance business for 14 years.
• Ashleigh Smith is the Managing Editor at organic seed company True Leaf Market with a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University – Idaho.

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