Guide to Clover Lawns: How to Grow and Care for a Clover Lawn

A clover lawn is a lawn that is either made up entirely of clover or uses a combination of clover and lawn grass as ground cover. Clover has small white flowers and plentiful broad leaves that cover the ground similar to how grass would. It is technically a legume which means that it captures nitrogen in the atmosphere and releases it to nearby plants, helping your green lawn to stay green. This also means that clover lawns don’t need to be fertilized. Clover plants are drought tolerant and usually won’t require regular watering once they are established.

Here is an overview of some of the differences between a clover lawn and a lawn made completely out of grass.

• Grass lawn: Grass lawns are made up of a combination of different types of grasses that are specifically used as turf. Some of these grasses may include ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, zoysia grass, or fescue grass. Many grass seed mixes contain a mixture of these types of grasses, and some may already contain different varieties of clover. Pure grass requires regular maintenance like watering and mowing and is vulnerable to becoming overrun with weeds or turning into brown crabgrass if it is not properly maintained.
• Clover lawn: Clover lawns are made entirely of clover or contain a mixture of grasses and different types of clover. Once it is established, clover lawns require less water than grass lawns making them a good option for homeowners trying to conserve water. It fixes its own nitrogen, so you rarely need to fertilize it or use herbicides or other weed killers on it. Planting clover on top of your existing lawn can help your lawn stay green for longer periods of time than grass lawns.

There are plenty of varieties of clover that are used as lawn alternatives to grass, but the two most commonly used are Dutch white clover and microclover. Here is an overview of those two kinds of clover.

• Dutch white clover: Dutch white clover, or dwarf white clover, blooms in small white flowers that provide food for bees and other pollinating insects. It stays green year-round. White clover also grows extensive root systems, making it one of the most durable of all clover species.
• Microclover: Microclover refers to small varieties of clover that have tiny leaves and fewer flowers than Dutch clover, though their flowers are still white. Microclover lawns are ideal for foot traffic because they do not grow in clumps like larger species. It is also soft on bare feet.

Clover is an incredibly low-maintenance plant and ideal for covering your back or front yard. Here is an overview of some of the advantages of having a clover lawn.

1. 1. They don’t require much water. Due to their deep roots, clover lawns rarely need to be watered and can tolerate a variety of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. \When they are established, you can water clover lawns only once a season and they will stay green, as opposed to grass lawns which need to be consistently watered.
2. 2. Clover lawns feed themselves. Like all legumes, clover is a natural fertilizer that feeds itself with its own nitrogen. This also provides nutrients to other plants and saves gardeners money on fertilizer. Clover is also a natural spreader that accumulates trace minerals from the soil which it then disperses when it decomposes, feeding new growth.
3. 3. They don’t require much mowing. Most varieties of cover grow only up to eight inches and need little maintenance. Some homeowners prefer to mow their clover lawns once in midsummer to deadhead old blooms, but this is not required as these attract beneficial insects like honeybees, pest-fighting wasps, and other pollinators.

Some potential disadvantages of a clover lawn can include.

1. 1. Foot traffic can inhibit growth. Unless it is mixed with other grasses, clover is not tough enough on its own to endure high-foot-traffic areas.
   
2. 2. It requires reseeding. Clover is a short-lived perennial so many pure clover lawns may require a new round of seeding every two or three years. In mixed-grass lawns, though, clover will reseed itself easily and does not require any additional help.
   
3. 3. It attracts bees. Clover flowers tend to attract bees, which can be good for planting new flowers. However, if you are allergic to bees or do not want to encourage them to congregate near your home, a clover lawn may not be for you.

Here is an overview of how to plant a new clover lawn.

1. 1. Prepare your lawn and soil. You want to start preparing to plant your clover lawn several weeks before you spread your lawn seed. In the early spring after the first frost has passed, Mow your lawn as close to the ground as possible in the early spring after the first frost has passed. Rake out any uneven thatches, stones, or other debris.
2. 2. Check your soil. Clover lawns thrive in sandy or loamy soil with a pH between six and seven. Mix some fine sand into your soil if it is not at the proper pH.
3. 3. Start seeding your clover. Mix your clover seed with soil or fine sand and spread over your desired area. The sand will make it easier to spread the clover. Avoid mixing grass and clover seeds together to avoid clumping. You can spread your clover by hand or use a seed diffuser. Follow your clover with grass seeds if you are using them.
4. 4. Rake over your seeds. Run a rake over the area where you have seeded your clover or clover/ grass mixture to lightly cover it with soil. You don’t want to cover it with too much soil because this may impede the germination process. Compress the seeds into the ground by running a roller over the area.
5. 5. Water your seeds until they are established. Water your clover seeds daily for two weeks until you begin to notice sprouting. Mist your lawn with water if you can. Once the seedlings grow leaves, your lawn is established and you can water your lawn less. Watch out for deer, rabbits, and other clover-eating animals until your clover lawn is fully established.

Here is an overview of a few tips for clover lawn care.

1. 1. Avoid using herbicides. Herbicides will kill any plant that is not grass, which incles clover. Avoid using herbicides and pesticides which are not necessary for growing clover lawn and may prevent them from growing properly.
2. 2. Use little to no nitrogen fertilizer. Clover fixes its own nitrogen, so you don’t need to fertilize your clover lawn regularly. However, if you notice competing grasses starting to overtake your lawn, you can use a low-nitrogen fertilizer to give your clover the phosphorus and potassium it needs to become hardier.
3. 3. Mow sparingly to keep your clover looking tidy. If you would like to see fewer bees on your lawn, you can mow down the white clover flowers when they appear. When you mow, leave the clippings on the lawn which provide the lawn with organic matter to fertilize the soil.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.