Buzz
If you have a grass lawn, you’re already familiar with how frustrating they can be. Grass is delicate, unpredictable, and costly to upkeep. Lawns drain your time and energy, while also causing environmental harm—everything from excessive water usage to the loss of natural habitats. Not to mention, they’re a hassle to care for. This is why there’s an ongoing movement to move away from traditional grass lawns. Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz on social media about clover lawns as an alternative.
If you’ve always been the type to battle clover in your lawn, you might think the world has lost its mind. However, there are many great reasons why you should consider either introducing clover to your yard or simply letting it take over your lawn.
The Benefits of Clover
Clover—comprising all 300 species— is a flowering legume that many lawn enthusiasts consider a nuisance due to its invasive nature. However, in the early 20th century, white clover was commonly found in lawns. It wasn’t until the rise of effective herbicides that the ideal lawn became dominated by turf grass. Once regarded as a weed, clover is now experiencing a resurgence for several compelling reasons:
It’s more eco-friendly than grass. Clover is resilient. Being a legume, it pulls nitrogen and other nutrients into the soil, reducing the need for fertilizers and aeration as compared to a grass lawn. In fact, if you blend clover with your grass, you’ll notice yellow spots vanish as clover revives your lawn. It also uses significantly less water.
It attracts pollinators. Bees adore clover and will flock to your lawn once it blooms. It also draws other creatures, such as rabbits.
It’s low-maintenance. Not only does a clover lawn need less water, but it also requires minimal mowing—you can get away with mowing only 2-4 times a year (even less if you prefer a more natural look). It stays green under most conditions, unlike the yellowed, brittle grass—even dog urine won’t leave unsightly stains on clover. Clover is so competitive it usually outgrows weeds, saving you time on weeding.
It’s affordable. If you’ve been trying to remove clover from your lawn, then congratulations—you already have clover growing! Let it thrive, and you’ll have a free clover lawn. Need clover seeds instead? They're incredibly inexpensive—around $4 for 4,000 square feet of coverage.
It’s comfortable. A clover lawn is soft and pleasant to walk on barefoot.
Drawbacks of clover lawns
Clover is fantastic, but are there any potential drawbacks to consider before you start enjoying those weekends free from lawn maintenance and environmental harm?
The primary downside to a clover lawn is its durability. Unlike grass, which can withstand foot traffic and recover quickly after activities like picnics or football games, clover is more delicate. If your lawn sees a lot of action, you may end up with bare patches.
Clover is a relatively short-lived perennial, meaning you'll need to replant it every 2-3 years. Fortunately, this process is fairly simple.
Clover makes a fantastic alternative to grass—or an excellent complement to an existing grass lawn. It's better for the environment, simpler to care for, and evokes a more independent, less conventional lawn style that was common before cookie-cutter suburban homes took over our landscapes. Spend a small amount on clover seed and escape the confines of your grassy weekend routine.
