What is involved in switching from lawn grasses to clover and what should you take into account when creating clover lawns? Here you can find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative ground cover!
More and more people are wondering whether they should choose clover instead of lawn grass mixtures for their gardens and create clover lawns. However, this is a controversial topic among gardeners, with both supporters and opponents of such an approach. Some of them want to plant clover instead of lawn to attract pollinators and promote natural grass growth, but does it really work? Can clover actually be a useful lawn replacement and be used instead of classic grass mixtures? Depending on the ecosystem and other influencing factors in the garden, creating clover lawns could actually prove to be beneficial. Below you will find some useful information and tips that can help you make the best possible decision for yourself.
Why choose the alternative to grass and create clover lawns?
Clover is a widespread and, above all, easy-care plant that many people even consider to be a weed. But it is one of the unpretentious plants with which you canGarden areas sustainablycan decorate. In addition to its symbolic meaning, which considers clover to be a good luck charm, it has rich green leaves that can brighten up any garden. The small flowers of clover also harmonize perfectly with other garden flowers and can easily be planted together on lawns.
However, before you decide whether to create clover lawns, you should familiarize yourself with the possible options. In principle there are two ways to do this: Either leave itClover in the lawngrow, or you can switch completely to clover lawns. But what advantages or disadvantages can there be in both cases?
What are the benefits of clover as a potential lawn replacement?
In the past, clover was even included in grass mixtures because it supplies the grass with nitrogen. It actually belongs to the legume family, which makes it a relative of beans and peas. As with most legumes, nodules form on its roots and accumulate nitrogen, which clover uses to enrich the soil. In addition, it is a perennial plant with good germination ability that can quickly cover any garden area. However, most garden owners have completely switched to clover-free lawns due to herbicides, but some are already seeing the benefits. Here are some more of them:
- Clover does not place high demands on the quality of the soil or the regularity of irrigation.
- The spherical inflorescences of clover are colored differently and can decorate the surface with white, red or pink.
- The longevity of some varieties, such as white clover (over 10 years!) can also be beneficial if you use it as a grass cover.
- Clover lawn is suitable for low-maintenance gardens because it remains intact despite pressure being applied to it and does not require frequent mowing.
- Clover is a drought-resistant plant that absorbs nitrogen from the air and competes well with unwanted weeds.
- Garden areas can be easily and naturally beautified with clover grass, as its flowers give the area a touch of elegance.
- Clover can also harmonize well with other types of plants such as bushes or trees and make the garden area look magical.
What else can you benefit from when you create clover lawns?
There are several other properties of clover that its supporters highlight as benefits for the garden. For example, if you prefer the natural look of a garden area, flower beds can be optimally combined with it. In addition, clover grass is not easy to trample because its stems do not spread upwards, but spread across the garden floor. When stepped on, the creeper bends instead of breaking and straightens itself easily. Another advantage is that clover tolerates mowing well and usually does not get sick afterwards. For example, if you plant a clover lawn and then mow it, it can literally grow back in a few days. This means that empty ordry spots in the lawnfill out without much effort.
Clover is also cold-resistant and can easily tolerate frost without drying out orto change color like grass. Its succulent foliage is also suitable for garden owners who raise livestock. It is rich in protein and is often eaten by chickens, rabbits and other grass-eating animals. If you also plant clover lawns next to other crops, it can make them more resistant to pests and weather influences or plant diseases. When using microclover as a lawn replacement, this variety can also act as a ground cover and can beautifully decorate large garden areas. This also makes it very beneficial for attracting pollinators, and you can reduce lawn fertilization in mixed lawns.
What are the disadvantages of creating clover lawns?
Although clover has many positive properties, it can also have negative aspects in certain situations and depending on its use. For example, if you let it grow too quickly and widely, clover without boundaries can affect the health of other plants. This is because clover is very hardy, which is why it is best to surround it with curbs. But what else should you consider before you plant clover lawns? There are some possible disadvantages that, according to clover opponents, are equally important and important to note:
- A potential disadvantage is that clover turf may not be suitable for high foot traffic due to the risk of slipping. For this reason, clover is not used on sports fields. Therefore, for gardens with children or elderly people, it would make sense to opt for a mixed option or just lawn.
- Although it attracts bees, clover can also be a potentially dangerous choice if you have bee allergies. This is because it is primarily pollinated by bees and similar insects.
- If you are just starting to create clover lawns and start with flowering plants, the mixed version is more suitable. This will make it easier for you to determine whether the low maintenance and overall look of your garden space is the right option for you.
Now that you have more information about the advantages and disadvantages of clover, you can decide whether having a clover lawn in your garden would actually bring you luck. But it's definitely worth considering such an alternative. Thanks to its lush green and nutritious foliage, as well as its high resilience and weather resistance, clover can be an excellent choice for many nature lovers.
