Clover Lawns

Clover lawns seem to be the big new trend among homeowners looking for a low-maintenance and low-growing lawn… so is this lawn care hack all that it’s cracked up to be?

What is Clover?

Clovers are a quick-growing legume, primarily originating in Europe. These legumes can help fix nitrogen in the soil, prevent soil erosion, and even help reduce soil compaction.
Commonly used for forage, habitat, and even in restoration mixes clover provides additional benefits to pollinator species.  

Low-growing clover species like White Dutch Clover will only reach six inches in height at maturity and are considered well-suited for pasture or lawn use. Though clovers typically require little to no fertilizer, establishing a dense lawn cover may require a starter fertilizer - especially in poor soils.  Clover species generally have lower water requirements than cool-season grasses, but supplemental watering will still be needed if hot, dry conditions persist. 

Things to Consider

Because most clover species are considered “short-lived” perennials, reseeding will likely be required every 2-3 years to maintain a lush lawn. While clovers do spread readily by stolon and can reseed themselves, regular mowing and foot traffic will reduce clover’s ability to repair bare spots. On the flip-side, if clover is left unkempt it can easily get out of hand. 

Extremes in temperature, common in the Midwest, can also be harsh on clover species. In mid-summer and late fall, extra water may be required to maintain green cover, especially in drier climates. 

Summary & Suggestions

If clover is something you’re considering, it is important to note that a mixture of clover and grass will perform better than clover as a monoculture. It is possible to overseed White Dutch Clover into an existing cool-season lawn at a lowered rate (approx. ¼ lb. /1,000 sq. ft.) to improve stand performance. If a clover-only lawn is desired, we highly recommend testing a small area to see how the clover will perform before committing to a full lawn. Clover is relatively inexpensive, but the cost of prepping and reseeding an entire lawn to clover can add up quickly!