Are there any pitfalls to doing a lawn in clover instead of grass?

[AZ Athena]

I'm considering replacing my lawn with clover because I hear it uses less water, chokes out weeds better, requires less maintenance/ mowing and will stand up to kids/pets better. Is there a downside to using clover? If not, why aren't more people using it?

 

[Chuck]

I'm considering replacing my lawn with clover because I hear it uses less water, chokes out weeds better, requires less maintenance/ mowing and will stand up to kids/pets better. Is there a downside to using clover? If not, why aren't more people using it?

Where are you located?

 

[Trellum]

Oh my, I've always wanted to have a lawn full of clover! Let me know if you manage to get that done, I'd love to see the pics of that! I love clovers! In my opinion they look waaay better than grass.

 

[zigs]

Don't let Sheep loose on it, clover makes their tummies explode

 

[AZ Athena]

Where are you located?

Arizona, not far from Phoenix.

 

[AZ Athena]

Don't let Sheep loose on it, clover makes their tummies explode

lol No Worries there. I have a small patch now and just my kids munch on it.

 

[AZ Athena]

Oh my, I've always wanted to have a lawn full of clover! Let me know if you manage to get that done, I'd love to see the pics of that! I love clovers! In my opinion they look waaay better than grass.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I planted some in a small section of my yard and it's holding up very well. I don't see the down side to doing up the whole yard, so I'll probably go for it soon.

 

[Annabell]

Don't let Sheep loose on it, clover makes their tummies explode

Is that true, or is it another urban legend like rice exploding pidgeons?

 

[happyflowerlady]

I love having clover in my lawn ! I like walking barefoot in clover,too, and it is much softer than grass. Plus, it makes a great soil enricher when it is mowed. Speaking of mowing, that is about the only downside that i can see to the clover lawn. It grows very thick and heavy, so you have to keep it well-mowed, or it will be hard to mow if it gets too tall and thick. Other than that, I can't think of any problems with it, and it does spread easily, too.
It blooms all summer, so if it is not kept mowed, you will have the little white or purple blossoms all over your lawn; which is either good or bad, depending on how you feel about flowers all over in the lawn.

 

[Chuck]

I don't know what kind of soil you have in AZ, alkaline or acidic, but here in Texas it is alkaline. Clover will grow just fine here, for 3 or 4 years and then cotton root rot kills it.

 

[Trellum]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I planted some in a small section of my yard and it's holding up very well. I don't see the down side to doing up the whole yard, so I'll probably go for it soon.

Yaaaaay! Go for it! I'm sure your yard will look so beautiful and original... Wish there were more yards and lawns staring clovers instead of boring grass!

 

[zigs]

Is that true, or is it another urban legend like rice exploding pidgeons?

It's true if Thomas Hardy is to be believed, think its in the opening scene of "Far from the Madding Crowd"

 

[Chuck]

It's true if Thomas Hardy is to be believed, think its in the opening scene of "Far from the Madding Crowd"

I am pretty sure it is true but only in the early mornings when there is a heavy dew. Same thing with horses eating Johnson grass that has frost on it.

 

[Annabell]

It's true if Thomas Hardy is to be believed, think its in the opening scene of "Far from the Madding Crowd"

Well, that's the most credible source I could find!

 

[AustinLawnPro]

Only danger in my opinion is that it might spread to your neighbors' yards, and they might not be happy about that.

 

[gmckee1985]

I don't see any danger in having a lot of clover in your yard. Shouldn't do any damage to your grass or your lawn in general. I think it's perfectly safe and I have some clover in my yard as well. I just think it's pretty. No real use to me other than that. You should be fine.

 

[marlingardener]

Bees love clover, so as a beekeeper, I'm all for having as much clover around as possible! We have clover in our "lawn" and enjoy both the look and the benefits of it. Don't worry about stepping on a bee, or getting stung--the bees are so intent on getting the nectar and pollen from the clover that they just ignore humans, or move to another patch if there is a human nearby. Of course, I'm talking about honeybees, who are notoriously kind and gentle.

 

[claudine]

Don't hesitate, AZ Athena. A clover lawn sounds absolutely wonderful, I would love to have one too! I've always felt that regular grass looks kind of boring and not very pretty.

 

[ChanellG]

I have come to believe that grass is greatly overrated. I say go for it! The bees love it so you'll always have them around to discover and pollinate your other plants, at least in the spring when it's in flower. How big is your lawn?

I don't know what kind of soil you have in AZ, alkaline or acidic, but here in Texas it is alkaline. Clover will grow just fine here, for 3 or 4 years and then cotton root rot kills it.

That's odd; I'm glad that's not the case here. The lawn here has been poorly managed since care of the property changed hands and I am thinking of replacing it with some kind of ground cover.

 

[Chuck]

I have come to believe that grass is greatly overrated. I say go for it! The bees love it so you'll always have them around to discover and pollinate your other plants, at least in the spring when it's in flower. How big is your lawn?



That's odd; I'm glad that's not the case here. The lawn here has been poorly managed since care of the property changed hands and I am thinking of replacing it with some kind of ground cover.

Just about all of Texas is alkaline. Its starts being acidic slightly west of the Big Thicket in east Texas