You may have a muddy yard in the spring until the plants grow in again.įor a full list of drawbacks, check out my guide on the reasons to avoid a clover lawn.Īre There Different Types of White Clover? In areas where clover goes dormant in the fall, it dies back to the ground leaving bare spots of dirt.Something to consider if you desire a nicely-manicured lawn. An all-clover lawn looks uneven if you don’t mow regularly.It will look patchy, even more so when the grass goes dormant. A mixed lawn of clover and grass doesn’t look as uniform as straight turf.Clover spreads and can quickly move into flowerbeds or your garden if not contained.Not a big deal if your household is all adults, but something to consider if you have small children. Clover stains clothing more than grass.Clover flowers attract honey bees-this can be dangerous if a household member is allergic.Pure clover lawns aren’t durableenough for properties with heavy traffic, so clover might not a top contender if you have pets or kids playing outside.If you’re growing a pure clover lawn, you must reseed or overseed every two or three years to keep the clover stand thick. It doesn’t have the same longevity as turfgrasses and will thin over time. Clover is considered a short-lived perennial.For some people, these drawbacks aren’t significant enough to sway their decision, but they might make you stop and think. On the flip side, it’s also essential you understand the disadvantages of growing Dutch white. It might even stay green all winter if your temperatures are moderate. Clover tolerates the cold better than turf, so it keeps your lawn green longer in the fall. Clover has few problems with insect pests like aphids or thrips, reducing the need to use chemical or organic pest controls. Clover flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, improving the pollination of garden plants, fruit trees, and other ornamentals. Clover is resistant to dog urine, so you won’t see the yellow spots in your yard that happen in turfgrasses. Less soil compaction reduces the need to aerate. Clover breaks up soil clods and hardpans as the roots grow and improves water and nutrient movement. Clover outcompetes most weeds (and is affected by broadleaf herbicides), so you are reducing your exposure and negative environmental impacts. Clover has dense roots that allow it to crowd out existing grassy and broadleaf weeds and keeps seeds from germinating. Clover is a legume making its own nitrogen, so you don’t need to apply nitrogen fertilizers. Clover seed is cheaper to purchase than grass seed and has lower maintenance costs because it doesn’t need fertilizing, aerating, or mowing. Clover grows as a perennial in cold climates, and some winter-hardy species can tolerate temperatures as low as -35☏. Clover thrives in partial shade areas that don’t get enough sun for most turfs. Clover stays green through the summer, unlike some turfs that go dormant during the hottest, driest part of the year. Bacteria within root nodules absorb nitrogen from the air and turn it into a form the plant can use. Specific soil bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with the plants. Clover doesn’t need nutrient-rich, high-quality soils. Clover grows shorter than a traditional lawn and doesn’t need to be mowed unless you want to knock off the flowers or keep them from going to seed. Clover roots grow deep into the soil, accessing more water and helping plants become drought-tolerant. Pros and Cons of a Dutch White Clover Lawn 15 Benefits of a Dutch White Clover Lawn Turns atmospheric nitrogen into a usable plant form.Stays green all year where winters aren’t too cold.Produces whitish-pink or white flowers.Common Dutch White Clover Characteristics The goal became well-manicured, weed-free lawns, and clovers became a nuisance plant that shouldn’t be growing in traditional grass lawns.Īs homeowners are looking for low-maintenance or environmentally-conscious lawn alternatives, Dutch clover is making its way back into yards as entire lawns or a mixed lawn with clover. In the 1950s-when herbicides took off in popularity-the mindset of homeowners changed. Dutch White Clover in American LawnsĪ hundred years ago, white Dutch clover was a common component in lawn seed mixes, so you found it in yards across the country. It is also grown for erosion control, food plots, ground cover, green manure, and often as a cover crop. It’s a highly versatile cool-season (prefers cooler daytime temperatures compared to warmer temps), herbaceous (lack a woody stem) perennial (lives more than two years) with both agricultural and horticultural uses.ĭutch white is commonly utilized in lawns and pasture mixtures. Final Thoughts What Is Dutch White Clover?ĭutch white clover ( Trifolium repens)-also known as Dutch clover, Dutch white, or white clover-is the most well-known type of clover in the United States.
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