Should I Add Clover to my Lawn?

Nov 15, 2011 by The idle gardener

Posted under: My Garden

Tony Allen from the Natures Finest Seed website wrote to offer me a guest post for this blog. I looked at the NFS website and saw a blog article entitled Should I Add Clover To My Lawn?.

As an idle gardener I would love a reason to leave clover in my lawn. The NFS article explains that prior to the 1950s, clover was a part of most grass seed mixes for lawns. Clover’s ability to reseed itself and stay green was considered an advantage in the pursuit of a beautiful, green lawn. The article concluded that; “If you have never walked barefoot through a lawn filled with clover, you are missing out on one of the greatest feelings in the world. Clover is so soft and supple. It feels much better than natural grass and smells better, also.”

I asked Tony for an article on clover and it is printed below. He seems to be against adding clover to your lawn. What do your think – clover or no clover?

Should I Add Clover to my Lawn?

By Tony Allen

There’s really no reason for a homeowner to add clover or trefoil to their lawn, unless they’re raising it as food for livestock or for bees to pollinate to make honey. The traditional American lawn is made of grass seed and not much else. Some homeowners would consider clover a weed if they saw it growing in their lawn, and eradicate it. However, some consider it a serviceable green mulch, though they would probably plant it as ground cover in the flower or vegetable garden, or as an accent in a pocket garden. Clover does enrich soil and birds enjoy and help spread the seeds. However, clover has its own problem in that it’s not long lived, especially in soils that are acidic. The homeowner will have to constantly re-sow the clover to avoid bald spots in the lawn.

Most people who crave a lawn want one that is all lush green grass, even though they are, by and large, not eco-friendly and take a huge investment of time and sometimes money. But, people want them as a foreground for their home, their garden, or the woods behind the house. A great, soft green carpet that rolls down from the house to the edge of a property is a refreshment to the eye. Keep in mind that a lawn made of the tougher sort of grass is the perfect place for both kids and grown-ups to play.

Before spreading the sod or the grass seed, the homeowner should figure out the shape of their lawn and what it will be used for. Some lawns are round, which is the most formal shape of lawn. Some are rectangular, and this shape of lawn is best for sports and play. Some lawns are free flowing and are best for little scattered plantings, fountains and orchards.

Some people create large and successful businesses cultivating grass for lawns and playing fields. Most types of grass need at least six full hours of sun during the day and some grow better in certain climates. They also need different levels of watering and maintenance.

• Fescue
Fescue is a tall grass that’s drought tolerant and likes cool climates, though it can tolerate heat. It doesn’t like to be mixed with other grasses, however, though different types of fescue can be mixed in grass seed.

• Ryegrass
This is a favorite of the southern states, because it grows quickly and is a bit tough though it doesn’t like drought or extreme heat or cold. It comes in annual and perennial varieties and needs lots of sun.

• Bermuda Grass
This is a warm season grass and is drought tolerant, though it loves to be watered. It’s also a favorite in the south. Some varieties can be started from grass seed, but others have to be planted as sod or sprigs.

• Zoysia grass
Zoysia grass is quite winter hardy and loves hot weather. It’s dense and can tolerate some shade. Though it turns brown in the winter and is rather slow to turn green again in the spring, it’s still a favorite lawn grass.

To sum up, homeowners should generally avoid adding clover to their lawns, but may want to plant some in a garden.