However, this is an aggressive type of clover with growth that will need to be closely monitored.Įrin Dale is with Apache Seeds Limited, which is based in Edmonton, Alta. Not only will it produce many flowers and stay green throughout the years, but it is also popular with bees looking for nectar. While there are different types of clover, some varieties perform better for backyards and lawns.įor instance, Dutch white clover is probably the most common variety for lawns. Eventually a lawn could end up as a simple mixture of clover and perennial ryegrass, which allows the look of a traditional lawn with the benefit of clover providing food for pollinators and nitrogen to other plants. Late season nectar will allow honey bees to continue building their winter stores and late season pollen will provide nourishment to a developing brood, which will become long-living winter bees.”Ĭalling clover a “workhorse,” Kowalewski says it is so strong that it tends to shade out other plants. This is a tremendous benefit for overwintering pollinators, such as honey bees. “Clover lawns can flower late into the season, offering pollinators critical nutrition during an otherwise stressful period. “This is particularly important in the drier months of the summer (August and September), when other forage resources are minimal,” she says. Conversely, traditional grass lawns provide no benefits to a pollinator. So, weekly mowing might be preferred for those desiring a low-profile lawn.”Ĭarolyn Breece, senior faculty research assistant II, at Oregon State University, agrees and adds that a clover lawn - when allowed to flower - can offer pollinators nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein). However, if you do not mow clover, it will grow up to several inches. “Conversely, turfgrass lawns require several nitrogen applications per year and relatively frequent irrigation for sustained growth and development. CloverĬlover is a sustainable lawn choice because it does not require nitrogen fertilizer and can survive with little to no irrigation in northern cool humid climates, such as the northern United States and Canada, says Alec Kowalewski, an associate professor at the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. A great alternative is a clover lawn, which is both versatile and low maintenance, and helps reduce the effects of pesticides, which is essential for our planet. While some may view clover as a weed, no one can argue that we must continue efforts to reduce the harmful effects of pesticides. And, if there’s a chance of finding a four-leaf clover or two, that’s an added bonus. In addition to being visually interesting with a texture that is quite different from grass, clover is easy to grow, drought-tolerant and will thrive in both sun and shade. In an effort to be more ecological, the interest in clover lawns is gaining in popularity. Growing a beautiful grass lawn requires a fair amount of water and sun. However, they’re affordable compared to Bermuda or Perennial, plus they’re pet-friendly, too.Photo: DLF Some of numerous reasons for growing a clover lawn include drought tolerance, sustainability, and its ability as an organic fertilizer. One con: they don’t handle foot traffic as well as regular grass. Clovers also help promote biodiversity and encourage pollinators like bees to pollinate your stunning garden.Īdditionally, clovers can also spread fast in areas that don’t receive that much sunlight, so they’re perfect in shady areas where the grass is harder to keep alive. Since clovers can grow in poor soil, they can survive without as much water as typical grass. Having a clover lawn means less watering, which is much better for the environment. Additionally, they can also survive Canada’s extreme winters. They’re heat resistant and can thrive during sweltering summer months - including drought. Related: 11 Outdoor Trends and Decorating Ideas That Will Be Big in 2023 Clover Lawns Can Withstand Canadian ClimateĬlover lawns work in any region of the country, coast to coast. White clovers can grow around two to eight inches tall and require little or no mowing to keep them looking tidy. Having a green and lush lawn all the time is just one of them! These are the benefits of having the “Luck of the Irish,” as your lawn of choice: It’s Low MaintenanceĬlover lawns require no mowing, so you’ll have a great-looking lawn with less hassle. There are a lot of pros to opting for clovers over grass. Related: The Best Fruit Trees You Can Grow by Province The Benefits of Clover Lawns Instead of treating them like weeds, here’s why you should consider keeping them. In fact, your yard may already be growing some clovers right now. You can either exclusively cover your lawn with all clovers or combine clovers and traditional turf grass. Clover lawns cover your yard with clovers or shamrocks.
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