Forget Grass - What about a clover lawn?

Tyrekicker · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1

Hi all,
First post so hopefully it makes some sense;

I have a large (~ 20m x 100m) steeply sloped area at the back of our house that I need to do something with. Right now it's mostly thistles and docks. It's too steep to mow and too expensive to buy loads of ground cover plants/shrubs, so I was thinking of sowing white clover seed. (100% clover seed, - not a Grass/Clover mix)

Most posts I've read are about getting rid of clover so I am looking for some advice

Pro's:
Cheap seed
Would look nice and green
White clover doesn't grow high like grass, so wouldn't need mowing???
Clover flowers attract bees

Con's:
I've no gardeing experience, - don't know what I'm doing Embarassed

Clover could take over where I have a nice flat lawn

Would appreciate any advice on whether clover would be suitable - OR - if there are alternatives that would meet the low cost, low maintenance criteria....

Geranimojess · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject:

Clover is the "Weed"that traditional Gardeners spend years trying to eliminate from their Gardens,but on its own White Clover(Trifolium repens) makes a very good "lawn".Sow it in the same way as a normal Grass lawn,using Clover seeds you can buy from specialist seed Firms.its less trouble than Grass and stays green in dry Weather when Grass looks like Hay,and its full height is only 5-8cm(2-3ins) so it wont need regular mowing.
If you sow Clover and Grass seed together you will have a more conventional-looking lawn that needs mowing,but feeds itself.Clover roots "Fix" nitrogen out of the Air and enriches the soil.Clover is a mass of Flowers in the Summer and is very attractive to BEE'S so if you want a "play" lawn for your Children remember to mow down the flowerheads to prevent them being stung.

medieval knievel · Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:59 pm Post subject:

anyone know whether clover seed would be available from a farm supply place?

Brendankearns · Rank attained: Rowan Tree Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 133

Tyrekicker, that is a great idea. I too have a large garden to sow at the front of the house and as I'll not be on it much all I want for it is to look green and be low maintance as possible.

Keep the forum updated with progress please

medieval knievel · Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:36 pm Post subject:

unfortunately, that was tyrekicker's only post on the forum, and it was nearly three years ago...

Mayo · Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 11:08 pm Post subject:

I am going to sow a small section of white clover tomorrow.

I have decided to plant the clover around a semi circle patio

Does anyone have any tips for me please?

I was also wondering if I have to protect the little seedlings from the birds, we have millions of birds right now

Thank you Smile

Sive · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:23 am Post subject:

We have decided to leave a couple of sections of our "lawn" unmown as the clover is prettier than plain grass and we could hear bees feeding on it...it's just an experiment, though one of the patches has rather too many buttercups ...pretty enough but I don't see any insects on them. Most of the bees on the clover are small red-tailed bumble bees and some honey bees too.

Mayo · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:10 am Post subject:

Hi Sive,

I love seeing the bees in the garden

I keep reading that their numbers are dwindling so I am having my own little campaign to bring back the humble bee in my garden lol