Which Clover Is Good to Plant With Grass?

Best Variety

• While there are several clover varieties available, Dutch white is the most well suited for clover and grass combination lawns. Other types, such as red or yellow blossom sweet clover, are best suited for pastures or meadows. Dutch white is a ground cover, growing only 4 to 8 inches high, and tolerates low cuttings.

Growing Conditions

• Dutch white clover grows best in cool, moist climates with soils rich in phosphate, potash and lime. However, it has adapted well to warmer, humid climates and clay and silty soils. Clover also fares well in sandy soil areas with high water tables or irrigated, drought-vulnerable soils when properly fertilized, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services. Clover root systems seldom grow beyond 2 feet deep, making it suitable for shallow soils if the necessary moisture is available.

Establishing Clover

• When sowing Dutch white clover into existing lawns, seed in early spring or fall and be sure the grass is cut short and raked beforehand. If establishing a new lawn, sow the grass seed first and then the clover. Clover seeds do not distribute as evenly if sown together with grass seed. Dutch white clover takes several years to establish and requires reseeding every couple of years until it takes. You will want to contain the clover by creating a barrier a few inches deep into the soil. Materials like stone, wood or brick work well as a barrier material.

Benefits

• Clover is popular among gardeners for soil conditioning. The deep root systems of this nitrogen-fixed plant reduce soil compaction and enrich the soil by slowly releasing nitrogen, producing greener grass. Your wallet will thank you, too. You cannot use herbicides with clover, nor will any heavy nitrogen fertilizers be necessary since it's already provided by the Dutch white clover. Once established, this clover is drought-resistant and doesn't require watering. The watering needs for your clover and grass lawn will be significantly less compared to what's needed for grass lawns.

Drawbacks

• Clover does not fare as well as grass in high-traffic areas, but it does hold up to wear and tear better in clover and grass combination lawns. Clover stains are more difficult to get out of clothing, which is something to think about if you have children. Bees are drawn to clover blossoms during the summer. If you have kids or someone in the household is allergic to bees, mow the lawn regularly during the summer to prevent bloom growth. If your lawn is a low-traffic area and you don't have children, consider leaving the blossoms for the bees.