Talkback: Clover in lawns - Talkback

20/07/2009 at 18:52

Many, many years ago, before everyone had to have yards of perfect grass, many yards were full of clover. Clover is excellent for the soil and provides lots of nitrogen. And personally, I think many of the so-called 'weeds' actually hold up better under disease and drought conditions than the grass. Also, 'weeds' like clover hold up better than grass to heavy use by children and foot travel. I have a lot of flowers, so the bees are usually in that instead of the lawn. Grass is overrated. We need to be cautious around bees, but bees (especially bumblebees) are one of the indicators of a healthy yard environment.

Gardeners' World Web User

20/07/2009 at 19:30

I plant it. It's fabulous and it's low maintenance. It attracts bees which is a good thing. It has long roots to discourage weeds and doesn't need a lot of water when it gets hot and dry. Best of all you can have a great time finding 4 leaf clovers. Grass is definately over rated. A weed is only a weed if you don't like it.

Gardeners' World Web User

20/07/2009 at 19:31

PS: I can't imagine wanting to put a weed killer on my lawn to kill clover even if using vinegar. How gross!!

Gardeners' World Web User

21/07/2009 at 16:22

I have just purchased a pack of red clover seeds myself for my lawn and cannot wait to see the results of the benefits it will add to the soil.

Gardeners' World Web User

21/07/2009 at 18:02

I agree about grass being overrated. I only have so much in our garden cos the Bairn is only 5, and it's a good surface for her to play on. As she grows and needs the back garden less I'll claim more of it for planting. We have patches of clover in our bit of grass (refuse to use the word 'lawn') and can't say I've seen many bees, if any, on them. The Bairn was stung on the leg the other week, but she was playing on the patio at the time! I think it improves the look overall of the grass - anything that detracts from the boredom is a good thing!

Gardeners' World Web User

22/07/2009 at 09:13

I had lots of clover to in my grass, but it was so lovely to see the bee,s flying around because of the many bee,s that have died this year and also lots of baby frogs so good to see my grandaughter thought it was her own little park.

Gardeners' World Web User

22/07/2009 at 12:05

i've noticed and only recently realised that the bees love the clover all over the grass-i've been buying flowers and plants that will attract the bees--Alas, right under my nose, by not cutting the lawn, its bee haven--Brilliant!

Gardeners' World Web User

22/07/2009 at 17:18

I so agree about the clover!! Having a football mad son, I had long since decided that the lawn would be a 'no go' area until he was a little older. However, the number of bees on the clover has meant that even he is watching his step....result, a better lawn than I have ever had!!

Gardeners' World Web User

22/07/2009 at 17:32

Anybody got the answer to how to slow hedge growth? Since the EU banned firstly Cutlass and then Stop-Gro I find I'm spending half my life trimming my small hedge. Due to my weakening health if I can't find an answer I will have to join the majority of my neighbours and cut my hedge down, something I would hate to do.

Gardeners' World Web User

23/07/2009 at 07:52

I actively encourage the clover in my lawn. The whole garden is grown with wildlife in mind and when the grandchildren come over, love to see the bees and other insects doing their thing. They have never been stung and are always frog watching around the pond. They pick cherries off the tree, raspberries and strawberries and eat peas straight out of the pod.

Gardeners' World Web User

23/07/2009 at 17:16

Good for Lainey - I call mine grass rather than lawn, too. I first noticed masses of white clover in the grass last year when I came back from a week away, and there's even more this year. Like the bees, I love it!

Gardeners' World Web User

25/07/2009 at 16:07

I am envious I had to buy clover seed for my lawn, wild kent white adds more nitrogen than any other

Gardeners' World Web User

16/08/2009 at 18:04

Whew! I am reassured by the comments on clover in grass. A begnner, I sowed my first ever "lawn" last september and have dug out most invading weeds as they appeared but the amount of clover spreading has had me beat! I shall now love it and leave it and watch the bees that I have encouraged with lavender, roses and as many flowers I have been able to manage this first year. Thank you

Gardeners' World Web User

19/05/2010 at 20:57

My front lawn is about 85% clover at the moment. I'm not totally anti clover at all, but the balance is far to much away from lawn. So, without trying to convince me to love clover more is there an organic way of reducing it's prevalence in my lawn? (I'd go back to solarification, rotivating and reseeding rather than some form of chemical treatment).

Gardeners' World Web User

23/05/2010 at 12:23

I don't have a garden, but large pots on a sizeable terrace in the middle of the city. One of the largest contains a gorgeous mature bay tree - and this year beautiful white clover started growing madly around it, in the pot! I love it, it looks fabulous , full of flowers and lush leaves, but the roots are getting quite thick and tangled, and I wonder if it might affect the tree?.... The pot is large, about 2 feet deep and equal width, so I am hoping that the clover can do its thing on the surface without hurting the tree roots below. Any thoughts?

Gardeners' World Web User

01/07/2010 at 16:27

he people who want a clover lawn must be nuts,a lawn means grass not clover.

Gardeners' World Web User

01/07/2010 at 16:32

he people who want a clover lawn must be nuts,a lawn means grass not clover.all I want to know is how to get rid of it,is there anybody out there who can help me.

Gardeners' World Web User

18/10/2010 at 20:38

It's sad that you think people are nuts because they like clover growing in their grass. Have you no understanding about how important it is that people do as much as they can to help bees and other wildlife? Maybe you should take a reality check and try to do your bit to help. If we lose our bees then the human race won't survive either.

Gardeners' World Web User

28/11/2011 at 18:39

Hehe... I battled with clover for a long time too. The bees posed a great danger for my kids who regularly got stung, and when slightly wet it was dangerously slippery. However, I used a homemade weed and feed powder, made of equal parts salt, vinegar and grass clippings over the lawn to kill the clover. Now the lawn is amazing!

Your say

Terms and Conditions | Code of Conduct

Email me when a response is made?