Why Grow Clover Vs. Grass?

Clover Versus Turf Grass

• Clover is shallow rooted and quick spreading, and it grows best under cool, moist summer conditions. Turf grasses can be selected and combined for their adaptability to local soil and climate conditions, often year round. Clover grows 6 to 8 inches tall and needs to be mowed often. Slow growing, low-maintenance turf grass mixes can be mowed infrequently. Many turf grasses are heat and drought tolerant, and clover is neither.

Benefits of Clover

• Clover is a low-growing forage plant commonly used in pasture and forage seed mixes because it is high in protein, palatable and quite digestible. Various clovers are also used as "green manure" cover crops, because of their ability as legumes to enrich soil with nitrogen they "fix" from atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic relationships with root microorganisms. As a result, clover is good in lawn seed mixtures for low-nutrient soils, because it helps to make nitrogen that the lawn needs to succeed. It quickly fills thin spots in established lawns. Clover is also an attractive deep green color and soft to walk on.

Drawbacks of Clover

• Clover isn't drought tolerant when grown densely enough to serve as suitable lawn. Where it does grow well, it may grow invasively. Even dense clover doesn't "bounce back" or recover quickly from heavy foot traffic, so it can't compete with lawn grasses for utility. Spent clover blooms turn brown and look unattractive too, a situation remedied only by frequent mowing. For individuals allergic to bee stings or families with small children, the fact that blooming clover attracts abundant bees --- and potential stings --- is not a plus. Clover also causes bad grass stains in children's clothing.

Controlling Clover

• Herbicides are the first response to unwanted clover from many homeowners, but the only lasting way to eliminate clover is to improve the health and vitality of your lawn through correct mowing, watering and fertilizing practices. Clover gains ground only in lawns that are stressed, particularly due to water shortage or poor nutrition. If there is sufficient nitrogen in your lawn's soil to support healthy grass growth, then grasses will choke out clover and other unwanted weeds. In addition to fertilizing regularly, mow your lawn at a higher setting --- at least 3 inches --- and "mulch" it by allowing grass clippings to stay on the lawn, which adds nitrogen to the soil and also helps minimize thatch.