Benefits
- A nitrogen-fixing plant, clover brings nutrients to your soil.
- You do not need to fertilize
- You do not need to water excessively
- Clover tolerates compacted soil better than lawn grasses
- You do not need to weed lawn
- You do not need to mow
- Plant clover in spring or late summer/early fall
What kind of clover is best?
White clover, which is the type most often used in lawns, is the most widely grown clover in the U.S.
How fast does clover spread?
When clover seeds are planted correctly on prepared soils, they can sprout in two to three days in the summer. Clovers take less than a week to germinate and sprout when temperatures are around 59 degrees.
How to maintain newly planted clover
Water twice a week. It is important that the plant receives at least 2 inches of water on a weekly basis. If rainfall is reliable in your area, a once weekly supplemental watering will suffice. If your clover plant does not get adequate water, it is likely to result in retarded growth.
Why clover went out of style
Clover hasn’t always been the base of every lawn lover’s existence.
Sure, ripping it out (or spraying it) as soon as it creeps into your perfectly manicured turf might be a good way to fit into your neighborhood nowadays. But this lawn care tidbit could surprise you. Several decades ago, killing clover was not at all in vogue. It was a standard part of grass seed mixes.
With more homeowners today avoiding the use of pesticides, it’s likely clovers could come back in style again as a wonderful part of your lawn. I encourage you to consider introducing clover to your lawn. The pollinators will thank you!