However, using organic fertilizer will lead to healthier growth in the long run. Grass Alternatives: 12 Low-Maintenance Lawn Replacements The amount will also deliver about 2 pounds of nitrogen. Whether you are already on a homestead or you are considering starting one you should consider converting your traditional lawn into a clover covered lawn. Move on from the quest for a perfect lawn of just turf grass. To be sure if a clover lawn is right for you, contact your local garden center to ask about the success of clover in your region. The short answer is no. Bury it too deeply and it wont germinate. The clover has been fantastic, it is the grass that is the problem now because it doesnt look like the rest, Rick said. If you want to learn more about micro-clover, read my article on why you should consider planting a micro-clover lawn. Lush green lawns are a vital aspect of a homes visual appeal. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rake or scratch the surface of the area where you want to plant. There were good reasons for this. Before trimming your lawn for the first time, wait until the clover drops its seeds, and then cut fairly close, about 2 from the ground. 03 of 08. It was used to improve soil quality by the farmers before using chemical fertilizer was a trend. How can I keep that from happening? Third, spread the seed at about 6 to 8 ounces (170-226 g.) per 1,000 feet (305 m.). There are other beautiful options for residential landscapes that require a similar amount of maintenance and provide additional benefits. 3) Clover is not durable enough for high-traffic areas. The reason is because it has so many benefits. It just got branded as one. It includes about 300 annual and perennial species. Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your clover lawn exactly what it needs to thrive. In fact, clover might be good for your lawn, since it requires less water, fertilizer, compost, herbicide, and weeding. How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn Naturally - This Old House You May Like: Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener Ace Hardware. A clover yard only needs to. Chris and Rick Alexander apparently are not the only ones to bring back this plant into plantation. If your soil isnt in this desirable range, you can adjust the pH using lime (to make your soil more alkaline), or peat moss (to make your soil more acidic). How to Stop White Clover from Taking Over Your Lawn - House Beautiful Did you know that clover can revitalize your existing grass lawn? Do not fertilize. In the middle of summer, stop mowing to encourage clover to flower and seed. It works really well and will pay for itself after a few uses when compared to renting a power rake. Say good-bye to burn marksclover will not turn yellow as quickly as a regular lawn when pets are around. Instead, determine your desired ratio of clover to grass and spread separately. Before World War II and the advent of chemicals, clover was used as a great companion with turf grass. In recent years, however, clover lawns have been experiencing a revival due to their many benefits and charms. It has been a trend recently, replacing grass with clover to make the lawn green. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! Many people also consider this plant as a good luck charm, especially the four leaf clover. Water regularly until established. A new clover lawn wont usually flower until after its first year. Copyright 2023. Yes, people are planting clover for their lawns instead of grass. To remedy this, it is usually recommended to mix the clover in with high traffic grass. Sunday makes it easy to transform your lawn. However, keep in mind that many spreaders dont accommodate seeds as small as clover. Your dogs will love the sensation too, because they can freely run and roll on the soft clover field without worrying of being scolded. Clover is more resistant to turning yellow than grass. Im trying to replace a section of our lawn with clover. Most wont see a useful plant as we might see in its close relatives the same goes for red clover, Trifolium pratense, white clovers bushier cousin. Next, grab a handful of clover seeds and lightly sprinkle them across the prepared lawn. The vinegar will dry out the clover's leaves, and the dish soap will make sure it sticks. One option is to replace your grass with chamomile. Clover gets its nitrogen from the air and releases it into the soil. Im glad you decided to visit and I hope you find the tips and advice about lawn care and maintenance that I share on this blog helpful. How to Plant Clover in Existing Lawn Areas - Lawn Chick DIY Project Clover Lawn - Low Technology Institute White clover (aka Dutch clover) crowds out weeds, thanks to its dense roots and fast growth, so theres no need to use herbicides on a clover lawn. I want to top seed with clover. Try it out with Sundays help. You may not like the look of clover, but it can actually benefit your lawn. With this kind of clover, you can mow it to a shorter length than you can with Dutch clover. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks! Although it can sometimes reseed itself, its beneficial to know how to plant clover, especially since you might have to replant it every 2 to 3 years. And it has a natural limestone coating (no harsh chemicals) to help keep the seed moist and improve germination rate to help you establish a great clover lawn. This means it can help crowd out undesirable broadleaf weeds without harming your desirable lawn grass. While its not drought-proof, you probably wont have to worry about your clover during drought the same way you would a traditional grass lawn. Some products also have additional active ingredients, such as triclopyr. Add to a regular lawn to help invigorate tired turf or plant a full clover lawn on its own for lush, year-round greenery (depending on your geographical location). Growing Clover in the Lawn | The Old Farmer's Almanac Some homeowners like clover in theirlawn, but many dont. By Angela Belt Published: Mar 23, 2023 Save Article Shungit Queen Until recently, the clover plant. As noted above, lawn specialists recommend using both clover and grass seed to establish the healthiest lawn possible. A lawn area can be replaced with bark mulch or wood chips as a low-maintenance alternative. Heres my privacy policy. However, corn gluten meal is also well-known as a natural substitute for pre-emergent herbicides those that target the weed seeds. While it is native to the Mediterranean, it was introduced into the United States early in the colonial days. Your clover seed will benefit if sown after a thorough aeration. Using Chamomile For The Lawn One option is to replace your grass with chamomile. However, your clover will need more water if the weather is hot. Replacing grass with clover : r/lawncare - Reddit A nitrogen-fixing plant, clover brings nutrients to your soil and requires no fertilization. There are two types: pure clover lawns, which are best for areas with low or moderate traffic, and mixed grass-clover lawns, which are best for playing fields and other high-traffic areas. Are Chickens Really The Closest Descendants Of T-Rex? Eventually, the clover will die. Surely it must be, because on average there is only one of them for every 10,000 clovers with three leaves. When we say Clover we are not talking about a single species but about an entire genus called Trifolium. Put a layer of a few inches (7.5 cm.) The plants won't sprout until early spring. Mix one cup of vinegar with a cup of water and one drop of dish soap. Start in early spring (mid-March to mid-April) to allow clover seed time to get established before cold weather arrives. If you are ok with the facts above about having a white clover lawn, you are ready to use clover as a grass substitute. How do I replace grass with clover? Clover will alsothrive in areas that are poorly drained or too shady for a conventionallawn. It grows quickly, satisfy you faster than growing traditional grass lawn. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. After this time, mow once weekly to control bloom coverage (if desired). Not only do clover lawns require less mowing, but they also need less watering than most grasses. That is why I recommend overseeding your existing grass lawn with clover or a grass/clover mix every few years if you dont mind the appearance of some clover in your yard (some people consider it a weed and want nothing but grass). Use SUNDAY20TOH for $20 off the Smart Lawn Plan. Some of the newer micro-clovers are even more tolerant of shade and can grow in high-traffic areas. If you choose to use pure clover seed instead of a mix of clover seed and grass seed, it will probably help to mix some compost or sand as you spread it. It has been a trend recently, replacing grass with clover to make the lawn green. [2] Purchase a soil testing kit from your local nursery or garden center. Most varieties of clover do best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, although some do well in soil with a pH as high as 8.5. However, dont spread these different types of seeds together. And you can get the sensation just a few steps outside your front porch. Grab her free lawn care cheat-sheet: What to Do When - Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care, or upgrade your garage by browsing her favorite DIY lawn care products. This plant is pretty friendly with pets. Clover spreads very quickly once you plant it in your lawn. Cover the patches with a garbage bag or another form of plastic sheeting for several weeks. It is only moderately drought tolerant though, when the different white clover plants are growing apart from each other. Full sun or partial shade? You can apply A.D.I.O.S. If youre a busy person like me, youll love how its a low-maintenance option for troublesome areas that can provide extra fertilization for your grass. We have been hearing from lots of people about wanting a 'clover lawn.' While not native, Dutch White Clover, the short white clover many of us already know . It doesnt need to be cut as often as grass, and it never needs fertilizer. As for preparation, keep your current lawn over the summer, but remove it (using, for instance, a sod cutter) a few weeks before planting. The lawn care company also offers five different annual programs and a variety of a la carte services so that you can customize your lawn care for your lawns unique needs. Once the clover begins to thrive, you can reduce the mowing by letting your lawn grow to 3. In other words it was easier for them to smear campaign clover than develop new herbicides. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. I love all these inspiring clover stories! Clover lawns can be established by encouraging already-existing clover patches in your landscape, by seeding, or a combination of both. See more about establishing a clover lawn here. Gently loosen thesoilwith a spade and tug the clover out, roots and all. To learn more visit the following pages:Advertising Policy |Privacy Policy, Get My FREE Cheat-Sheet and Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care. First, remove all of the grass on your current lawn to eliminate the competition. Why You Should Convert Your Grass Lawn To A Clover Lawn Planting clover in the lawn Gardening Solutions 1.97K subscribers Subscribe 31K views 3 years ago I'm considering using clover instead of grass for the yard, in this video I highlight some of. Because clover is a legume, it takes nitrogen from the air and transfers it into the ground, where the gas improves nearby plants and soil quality. Dutch white clover can look pleasant even when you dont mow it very often as it grows pretty low. Clover is versatile. Whatever survives the initial tilling will sprout and you can then quickly hand weed what's left. Be mindful that this approach will also kill any grass that gets under the plastic. When adding clover to an existing lawn, first mow it close and remove any thatch to allow the seed to fall to the soilsurface. I recently seeded clover in a roughly 6x6ft patch in my yard. Clover as a grass turf replacement for lawns - YouTube Germination times for clover typically range from 10-15 days when soil temperatures are between 50 and 60 degrees. How To Replace Lawn Grass - LoveMyLawn.net Planting this plant is also beneficial for the environment, since the flower of the plant attract wild bees. Clover is not bad for lawns. There are a number of simple ways to get rid of clover in your lawn naturally. However, it will also affect the seeds of any established weeds, preventing them from reappearing the next year. Love My Lawn Club is a one-stop resource for everything you need to know about lawns. Although they look alike, they belong to a completely different plant family and are more commonly garden weeds than lawn weeds. It is possible to grow a white clover lawn, but there are some things to consider before you launch head first into having a white clover yard. The Benefits Chris and Rick Alexander apparently are not the only ones to bring back this plant into plantation. But as water and energy costs rise, many are seeking alternatives to the traditional thirsty, labor-intensive American lawn. selective organic weed control kills weeds but does not harm lawn grasses, as does corn gluten meal. A.D.I.O.S. Keep reading to discover my guide to planting clover on your property. These attract earthworms, which help keep the soil loose (and, therefore, in need of no aeration) and reduce thatch buildup. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Sarahs blog, Lawn Chick, is read by over 2 million homeowners each year and she is regularly cited as an expert source of lawn care knowledge by major publications. They also generate oxygen, provide a lush carpet for childrens barefoot play, and offer a pleasant setting for active summer livingbadminton anyone? I have a guide on renting lawn equipment which may be helpful. Take multiple samples from different locations around the lawn and at different depths of the soil, near the surface and 8 to 10 inches (20-25cm) or more in depth. After that, use a quality dethatcher or thatch rake to get rid of any thatch and thin out the lawn. That's what we did when we pulled out our Satan lawn & xeriscaped it. A clover yard only needs to be mowed a few times a year, as opposed to the weekly mowing required by most grass lawns. There are a few things you should be aware of before creating a white clover lawn. Environmental Protection Agency 2. September 11, 2022 0 0 New Project For A New Year: Lose The Turfgrass For Energy Savings Wildlife Friendliness And Lower Maintenance 10 Ground Cover Plants to Replace Your Lawn Project: Why: Its a good project for you if:1. To get rid of clover, treat it with a three-way product that contains 2-4, D, dicamba and MCPP. Mix your clover seed with sand, sawdust, or fine soil to make spreadingeasier. Advantages and Disadvantages of Clover Lawns - Dengarden TIP: Once the seed is down, I like to use the back side of a leaf rake to work the seed down through the grass canopy and ensure its in good even contact with the soil to improve germination rate. White clover is a moderately drought-tolerant ground cover if the plants are spaced out. Start by determining whether you have the right kind of soil to allow clover to thrive. Do the best you can. Clovers specifically Trifolium repens have for centuries been domesticated ground cover plants or livestock forage plants. If your lawn is patchy and/or already weedy, it would be more successful. There are small patches of grass, but not much else. It is particularly easier to plant clover, not much difference from traditional lawn grass. Replacing bermuda lawn with clover in the laziest way possible? Take plastic sheeting or a garbage bag and place it over the patch, securing the corners with rocks to make sure it doesnt fly up. Say good-bye to burn marksclover will not turn yellow as quickly as a regular lawn when pets are around. 1 Test your soil pH. Clover lawns have several benefits compared to traditional turfgrass lawns. 3. Its safe to spread 2 weeks after last frost; Clover doesnt germinate until the soil is consistently over 50 degrees and you dont want seeds torot. I don't have a huge yard, it's about a acre. Will red or white clover grow in clay soil and full summer shade? These seeding blends have a mix of grasses and clover designed to work well together and blend seamlessly in color and growth habit. New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards. It was a world before chemicals, and cloverwas part of seed blendsbecause it improvedthe soiland the condition of the lawn. Cover the clover. The only difference is maybe how frequent you should water it, because this plant has higher drought resistance than grass. I recommend Sundays Lucky Lawn clover and grass seed blend. Cloudy days slow things down. Lawns help to keep away unwanted plants and weeds. Thick plastic will last longer because its sturdier and resists tears. 1. Compact Fruit Trees: Ideal Varieties for Small Gardens, Natural Lawn Care: Tips and Non-toxic Products for a Healthy Yard. Clover converts nitrogen from the air into ammonium, which can be absorbed by grass to make it greener and stronger. This Old House has rounded up the best methods for getting rid of clover in your lawn naturally, some of which wont even harm your grass. Hi! First, remove all of the grass on your current lawn to eliminate the competition. Unfortunately, most homeowners dont know this fact. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Shamrocks and Four-Leaf Clovers: Whats the Difference? Not only that, walking barefoot on clover field feels great because it is softer and cooler than grass. What does clover look like? Only 5 to 10% of the weight of tiny clover seed needs to be mixed with the recommended amount of grass seed to create a thickstand. Clover forms dense clumps that spread by their secondary roots and will out-compete broadleaf weeds, so it effectively acts as its own herbicide. Core aeration can also help to prepare your lawn for overseeding with clover seed. Its best to plant clover seeds after the weather begins to warm up in spring because soil needs to be warm enough for the seed to germinate. It absorb nitrogen from the air and adding it into the soil, making the plant grow well even without additional fertilizers. Homeowners and managers didnt consider clover a problem until the 1950s. The drawback, however, is if you or your children tend to walk barefoot, theres a small chance you could accidentally step on a bee and get stung. Here are the main benefits of clover lawn: You May Like: John Deere Lawn Tractors Lowes. If you would like, you can leave the current lawn, and seed over top of the grass, but it will take longer for the clover to dominate the yard. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If your soil isnt in this desirable range, you can adjust the pH using lime , or peat moss . I personally have had success with a grass seed/clover blend. 2) Clover might have to be reseeded every 2-3 years to maintain even stand in pure clover lawns . Should I rake out some of the sprouts? This will also favor the clover over the grass, and help the clover plants establish their roots. It can grow well in any kind of soil, requires little to no mowing, and stay green all the time with little to no watering. You will have healthier and more beautiful environment because of this. They sowed microclover, a newly developed kind of clover with softer stems, mixed with grass seed to re-turf their lawn. The dead grass can also be removed, or you can leave it as compost. So instead of something unwanted and unsightly, you could have clover. Clover is one of the most underestimated plant in the world. Micro-clover is able to do quite well in shady conditions. The seeds are very small and may be hard to spread evenly. Temperatures should remain above 40F for the clover to take hold before winter. Turns brown in winter due to dormancy period. Instead, determine your desired ratio of clover to grass and spread separately. However, because clover adds nitrogen to the soil, its more likely that it will help your grass stay healthy instead of competing with the rest of your lawn. Unfortunately, the vinegar can damage grass, so spray the solution carefully. It makes a good lawn substitute for areas like children . Expert Response. The benefits of growing a micro clover lawn far outweigh the negatives. RELATED: 15 Natural Pest-Control Strategies for Your Home Landscape. It was added toseed blends, along with fescues, ryegrasses, and Kentucky bluegrass, because it helped grass thrive. Follow with grass seed if using. ), Granular vs Liquid Fertilizer for Lawns (compared), 9 Lawn Replacement Ideas for a Beautiful, Eco-Friendly Yard, When to Plant Grass Seed (in every state & growing region), Best Spring Lawn Fertilizer (greenest lawn on the block). Clover is a benefit to yards with poor soil, and it can thrive in compacted or poorly draining soil. Due to its symbiotic relationship with bacteria, clover acts as a natural fertilizer. New options for your lawn: Alternatives to grass - SheKnows Thats why having clover on your lawn acts almost as a sort of fertilizer. How to Grow a Clover Lawn: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow The seeds are small, so do your best to maintain this level of distribution across your lawn. If you have pets, youre probably familiar with the dreaded pet spot. Wildflower Meadow. In fact, clover is a nitrogen fixer, meaning that this plant can enrich the soil by taking nitrogen from the air and adding it into the soil. Fall planting may also be a possibility if you live in an area with mild autumn weather. Ready to overseed your lawn with clover? Green tip: Avoid Weed and Feed products. This Old House has rounded up the best methods for getting rid of clover in your lawn naturally, some of which wont even harm your grass. See a few more hardy ground cover plants. Does it do OK with Ceder Trees and acidic soil? Still, all of that doesnt say much about the purpose of clovers in our lawns, right? Then do Hi! When mixed with other grasses, clover can reduce or eliminate the need for regular fertilizing. A day or two before planting your lawn, remove any newly sprouted weeds and rake to a smooth, even texture. It can hold up better in overly shaded areas or areas that dont have enough drainage for conventional grass to thrive, which is the type of locations where I use it on my property. More Resistant to Yellowing If you have pets, you're probably familiar with the dreaded pet spot. You may already know some of this, but some of this information may reinforce your enthusiasm and get you excited for your project. However, this is more so for regular white clover than micro clover. Heres what you need to know about these options: Clover does best when planted in clay or sandy loam soils with a pH between 6 and 7. Most landscape professionals recommend a ratio of 15-20% clover seed to 80-85% drought-tolerant grass seed suitable for your area and location. Suddenly, clover was represented as an enemy of lawns, along with dandelions, bindweed, and other broad-leaved flowering plants. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. In fact, when planting this plant, lush is guaranteed. Wikipedia Thinking about growing a clover lawn? Since clover fixes its own nitrogen, it will thrive even if this nutrient is lacking (while grasses usually wont). Once youve eradicated your clover problem, The This Old House Reviews Team recommends hiring a professional lawn care company to keep your lawn healthy, hardy, and robustmuch less likely to attract clover. On the one hand, lawns require large amounts of water to survive. Start from scratch if more than half of your lawn is screaming for help. Not to mention the plant can also become fodder for the cattle. However, they are far from benign substances through constant exposure and accumulation, they can harm other creatures, including humans. To find out your soils pH, use a soil test kit or a pH meter. She lives on six acres of land with her husband, daughters, and backyard poultry flock. Thank you! Turf benefits from regular core aeration, which is either time-consuming to do yourself or expensive if you hire a lawn care company. First thing first is how to prevent kids stain their clothes with the saps of clover. By the late 1800s, the neatly trimmed, aesthetically pleasing grass lawn became a symbol of wealth. Think a clover lawn is right for you? Shake it up and spray it onto any patches of clover. I have read several articles now that agree it was not considered a weed until modern weedkiller formulas couldn't be formulated to leave clover. The clover plant is a legume, and uses bacteria to pull nitrogen from the air into the soil. Photo by porpeller from Getty Images via Canva Is Clover Bad for Lawns? Before World War II and the advent of chemicals, clover was used as a great companion with turf grass. Rake the planted area to lightly cover the seeds. With white clover, youre usually required to reseed once every two or three years. Heres the short answer: Clover wasnt always considered a weed. Before getting into a project, researching your options is key. Unfortunately I used way too much seed. Clover is tolerant of many conditions and outcompetes other weeds. Here's how CBC News 3.24M subscribers Subscribe 47K views 6 months ago Lawn clover used to be considered a problem. Spray your existing grass with a non-selective herbicide, which will kill all vegetation it touches. We review lawn care plans and packages, navigate the provider website and speak with customer service representatives, request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider.