At one time clover was a part of most grass seed mixes for lawns. Today seed mixes seldom include clover, but this is not necessarily a good idea. There are many qualities to clover that make it an excellent choice for groundcover.

By Rye Garden Club Conservation Committee

 

At one time clover was a part of most grass seed mixes for lawns. Today seed mixes seldom include clover, but this is not necessarily a good idea. There are many qualities to clover that make it an excellent choice for groundcover.

 

It’s Easy

 

Clover naturally reseeds itself and stays green all season long. It is also drought-tolerant, which means it thrives without lawn irrigation. Because it is a low-lying groundcover, it never achieves great height and therefore requires less frequent mowing than grass. Clover is soft to walk on, attractive to look at and smells lovely.

 

It’s Good for Your Lawn

 

Clover crowds out weeds, and pests such as chinch bugs don’t like to eat it. It also holds so many nitrogen nutrients that it helps lawns grow lush and full. If you allow the clover clippings from your mower to settle back onto the lawn, rather than bagging or using a blower to blow them away, every time you mow your lawn you are adding (free!) organic nitrogen-rich fertilizer back into the ground and spurring growth.

 

It’s Native and Supports Native Species

 

Clover is native to this area and thrives with little to no maintenance. Some may consider it a weed, but it is very different from plants like dandelion, which look pretty but are harmful to life around them.

 

Clover has many life-giving properties. Along with being a favorite of rabbits, if you allow clover to grow to the height in which it develops white flowers, it will attract bees during the spring and summer months. More bees on your lawn mean an increase in cross-pollination of flowers — beneficial to your garden and to our surrounding environment. Bees are essential to the health of our ecosystem and are presently suffering from colony collapse. Clover on your lawn will help bees survive.

 

We are learning that many of the practices of old are the very best when it comes to gardening and for the health of our natural world. Welcome clover and all its benefits to your yard!