imbed a clover lawn as an easy - care , drought - broad skunk option .
grow a clover lawn has become a hot subject on societal metier , which may seem surprising , given that trefoil has long been counted among thelegion of lawn weeds to battle . However , in the wake of climate change , dwindle away pollinator population , and an overall rethink of how our society maintains one thousand and garden , lawn eclipse by turf grasseshave begun to turn down . Instead , homeowner are look for environmentally friendly lawn alternatives . Enter clover .
As it turns out , trefoil is one of the best grass lawn alternatives usable . This toughened perennial plant has many benefit , including that it doesn’trequire as much tending as grass to look greenand gorgeous . Here ’s what you need to know to institute and grow a clover lawn .
Credit:Searsie / Getty Images
Searsie / Getty Images
How Clover Became Considered a Weed
First , let ’s consider how we became haunted with absolutely manicure pot lawn for so long . In the 1500s , lawns were for the livestock of wealthy property owner in Western Europe . As the century passed , lawn became a symbolization of wealth in other billet , such as the United States . Like the earlier European lawn , the first American lawns included manykinds of hayfield plants , provide habitatand aesthetic value .
With industrialization and urbanization , lawns became the monocultures we hump today , predominantly made up of various grass species — and clover became considered an unsightly weed . Like any monoculture , it call for a lot of resources tomaintain a perfect carpet of fleeceable grass . Plus , our modern lawns allow little in the style of value for vital pollinators and other wildlife . All of this is high-priced , both for your notecase and the environment .
Benefits of Clover for Lawns
Clover — specifically white clover(Trifolium repens)—is aperennial plantthat is native across much of Western Europe and Central Asia . in the first place viewed as a mourning band in the past tense , this plant has dominated the lawn alternative drive . Why ? Here are some of the marketing points gardeners have discovered :
It ’s fast - growing : Clover rapidly blanket a space and stays low to the undercoat , typically originate no more than 6 inches tall . It also mature densely , minimizing locoweed without the consumption of chemical .
It need less mowing : Clover is easy to mow but does n’t need mowing often . After pout , trefoil lawns quickly recover and “ fluff ” up within hours or days . If allow unmown , trefoil bloom like crazy withflowers that attract pollinator .
It ’s tough : trefoil is hardy , growing in USDA zone 3 - 10 , and is rarely nark by disease or pests . Clover lawns tolerate foot dealings as well as most sens and do n’t die back from dog urine . They also reseed easy , avail to renew themselves andfill in marginal spot .
It ’s low - maintenence : Clover belong to the legume family and canfix nitrogenin the soil with the aid of land microbes . As a event , the flora needs very slight , if any , fertilizer and can grow in a wide mixed bag of soils . Clover lawns need far less urine than grassand can tolerate more spectre than most turf Mary Jane options .
Several species of bees are drawn to white trefoil flowers . People with bee and wasp sting allergies should be thrifty around trefoil while it ’s blooming .
What Type of Clover to Grow
If you want a completely no - mow clover lawn , front for the micro - trefoil variety send for Miniclover . It grows just 4 - 6 inches in height while providing all the benefits of regular trefoil . Purple and mass - green trefoil varieties are also usable for more color options . If you have clover already established in your garden , you may allow it to continue to propagate slowly along with your survive locoweed . Check with your local extension office about the best alternative for your local stipulation .
When to Plant a Clover Lawn
In cold wintertime areas , plant trefoil in leaping , after temperature tender to at least 60 ° F . In meek wintertime expanse , planting in former summer to early gloam is normally favour . Wait to sow the trefoil source until you ’ve had a plume pelting , which further sprouting rate .
How to Plant a Clover Lawn
The easiest style to grow a trefoil lawn is to take off with cum , typically available at hardware stores or online . Ideally , clover should be mixed in with an existing lawn . Pure clover tend to go dormant in cold wintertime area , leaving bare patches before it grows again in spring . Intermixed grass will keep things looking good until then . Here ’s the process for planting a clover lawn :
White clover is often classified as a “ weed ” by householder association ( HOAs ) and local and state governments in many sphere of the state . Before you plant a trefoil lawn , watch for ordination or restrictions where you live . Sometimes , these rules only restrictplanting in the front yardwhile leave more tractability in the backyard .
How to Care for Clover Lawns
Caring for a clover lawn requires minimal cause once it is established . Here ’s what you call for to know :
urine : In region with regular precipitation throughout the year , watering is seldom needed . Wateringjust once or twice a weekis unremarkably more than enough in dry summertime regions .
Fertilizer : Unlike locoweed lawn , clover lawn never need fertilizer , thanks to the power to fix N in the soil .
weed : Keeping your clover lawn spare of green goddess is substantive during the first duad of years of maturation . allot to Aaron Steil , consumer horticulture extension specialist with Iowa State University , be on the lookout for a few potentially detrimental species . “ Crabgrass , foxtail , spotted spurge , plantain , and purslane are a few common weeds that do not produce flush that are beneficial for pollinators and should be removed . ” He also take down that hand - pulling is the best choice . “ Manyherbicides used on lawnsare broadleaf herbicides that do n’t kill grass , but kill other plants . If these product are used on a bee lawn , they are likely to kill the trefoil . ”
Other Lawn Alternatives
If you ’re not totally sold on adding whitened clover to your lawn , several alternative are usable . Existing supergrass lawns can easily be overseeded with other low - growing plants that will coexist while cater a more traditional feel . Some mixes , such as Bee Lawn from Twin City Seed Company , are scientifically backed options for creating pollinator home ground . According to James Wolfin , conservation specialist at Twin City Seed Company , over 60 bee species were identified foraging in the Bee Lawn Mix planted around Minneapolis . Wolfin points out that this numeral is slightly higher than the species retrieve on trefoil - only lawns .
Frequently Asked Questions
Twice a year is sufficient : once in midsummer after it flowers and drops seeds and again a few workweek before the first fall Robert Lee Frost .
Both yearly and recurrent clovers are usable , but yearly clover cash in one’s chips out after one class , while repeated clover lives for several years , make it the more democratic selection for lawn . The repeated clover plants and fresh one that grow from their ejaculate come out the following season . The seeds command a damp surroundings to sprout , so be ready to irrigate them if you live in a dry neighborhood .
The seeds are so small , you could allow them lie undisturbed where they light , and they will germinate if the ground is moist . However , conservative homeowner lightly rake the territory where the seeds rest to preclude them from being blown away .
Mowing will keep trefoil flush in check . If left alone , however , clover will bloom in the summer calendar month .
https://turf.umn.edu/news/if-you-build-it-who-will-come-evaluating-diversity-bees-flowering-lawns
