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If, every spring, you find yourself cringing at the first clover that appears in your yard, you may want to rethink those pessimistic ideas. Just as there are many benefits to using ground cover plants to control weeds and improve aesthetics, clover has special benefits for your yard.
We reached out to professionals in landscaping to find out where clover ranks in their books. Clover usually wins, though some have a love-hate relationship with each other.
If you plant this green plant, you will see an increase in the general health of your garden and the integrity of my soil. Check out these amazing benefits of growing clover before you decide to remove it from your yard.
8 benefits of growing clover
Although it is commonly considered a weed, clover has many other benefits that you may not be aware of, including serving as an important initial food source for bees.
1. Clover is a low-maintenance plant
Clover usually takes care of itself and can be a perfect friend for the lazy gardener, we’ll start here.
“Compared to traditional turf (lawn) varieties, clover requires less watering, fertilization and mowing,” says Matthew Koch, Ph.D., Scott’s director of biotechnology, genetics and seeds.
“Compared to many grass species, it is generally more tolerant of a range of growing conditions.” Of course, Matthew says that if you want to create a clover lawn, the Scotts Pursue Clover Lawn from Amazon is a good choice.
2. Clover can improve soil structure
In addition to making it easy for this ground cover to absorb all the nutrients and water it needs to stay beautifully green, clover’s deep and intricate root system can also protect your yard’s soil and maintain the earth’s integrity. This will help you in your garden landscaping efforts.
“Clover’s deep root system helps improve soil structure by aerating compacted soil and allowing for better drainage,” adds Mathew. He also emphasizes how clover provides climate protection. Clover’s deep root system holds the soil particles together, while the leaves form a dense mat that protects the soil from wind and rain. These two properties contribute to soil stabilization and erosion control.
Especially for troubled lawns, this is hugely beneficial: ‘Clover also supports a healthy lawn by retaining soil structure and moisture.’ “Its deep root structure adds organic matter to the soil, increasing its aeration and water retention qualities,” adds Scott McLeod, owner of McLeod Landscaping Inc. in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. This property has been particularly useful in projects where clients faced challenges with compacted soil or poor water infiltration.’
For especially needy lawns, we recommend the Jardineer Plug Aerator Lawn Tool at Walmart.
3. Clover can withstand dry spells
Many landscapers say that clover can outlast grass during dry seasons because it quickly pulls all the nutrients it needs from the soil.
“Additionally, clover is known for its ability to withstand a variety of environmental conditions,” says Steve Schumacher, owner-operator of Boston Landscape Company, who has more than thirty years of experience in the landscaping business. Clover can create a dense, green lawn that can be maintained without excessive watering, which is becoming a global problem.
‘In a multi-acre experiment at a commercial site in the greater Boston area, lawns with clover endured dry spells with significantly less irrigation than no irrigation, resulting in significant water and cost savings.’
Consider a water barrel to conserve rainwater year-round too. This moveable 100 gallon water storage tank from Rihogar Store on Amazon could be a wise investment.
4. Clover increases biodiversity
Like flowers that attract bees, clover is a great plant to have in your yard for wildlife-friendly areas. It also provides an early food supply for many garden bees.
According to Matthew Koch, clover blossoms can increase biodiversity by drawing in beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies and other pollinators that support the entire ecosystem.
White Dutch Clover Seed
You can plant this clover seed in zones 3 through 10. A perennial with many uses, white Dutch clover seed is used as a ground cover, green manure crop, erosion control, and grass substitute.
5. Clover regulates nitrogen levels
This is one of the benefits of clover that has received increasing attention recently. Clover has the ability to regulate soil pH, much like coffee grounds do in gardening. According to Scott McLeod, “Clover’s greatest advantage is its natural ability to fix nitrogen.”
By converting nitrogen from the air into a form plants can absorb, this process enriches the soil and effectively fertilizes the grass. As a result, the use of synthetic fertilizers is less necessary, increasing the sustainability and affordability of your lawn maintenance.
If you want to check your soil’s pH you can find soil pH meter kits on Amazon like this Sonkit Soil Moisture Tester.
6. It is cost effective
Growing in abundance, clover requires little care to survive and thrive. Growing a clover lawn, however, may be the answer for anyone who enjoys a lush, manicured lawn but wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to save money on their electric bill—or, for that matter, reduce the need to use a lawnmower. .
In addition, according to Steve Silva, owner of Steve’s Services Landscaping, “Clover stays green and lush even in situations where other plants face drought stress.” This is true in addition to soil health.
As you can see, fertilizing a lawn with clover presents fewer challenges. It also reduces the need to purchase and apply pesticides. Due to its flexibility, less watering is needed, which saves money and protects the environment.
7. Clover may help other plants bloom and prosper
In addition to being self-sufficient, clover promotes the growth and general well-being of other plants.
According to Matthew Koch, “Clover’s extensive root system also helps improve soil structure and nutrient cycling.” Because it gives them better access to water, air and soil nutrients, this is beneficial to nearby plants.
Additionally, the abundant nectar in clover blooms attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. For pollination and growth, these pollinators are needed to fertilize other plants, such as fruits, vegetables, and flowering plants.
8. Clover is aesthetically pleasing
Finally, landscaping projects can benefit greatly from adding a green area of clover.
You can also choose a color variation; On Amazon, we found a product by Eretz called Tri-Clover that combines three different types of clover in pink, red and white.
Of course, it depends on your personal style for your yard. According to Matthew Koch, “Clover’s propensity for aggressive growth—it can spread quickly and compete with grass species in lawns and gardens—can be viewed as a weed or a nuisance.”
According to Mathew, “clover is probably not the best option for people looking to keep just one area of their lawn or garden because it can be difficult to control its spread.” Moreover, some people
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