There are many pros and cons to clover lawns in Utah, such as clover is easier to maintain than a typical grass lawn, but it also doesn’t last as long and spreads quickly.
In a dry state like Utah, lawn alternatives are a great way to save on your monthly water bill. One of the best lawn alternatives is clover. A clover lawn can be very beneficial to Utahns, though just like anything else related to lawn care, it’s not without its faults.
Pros of a clover lawn in Utah
Better for pollinators
A clover lawn is better for local pollinators than a traditional turfgrass lawn. Whereas turfgrass is a dead zone with no food to be had for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, clover is a veritable feast. Helping your pollinators means helping all of your garden plants and your neighbors’ too.
Utahns specifically can expect to see a lot of bees buzzing around. Utah isn’t called the Beehive state for no reason. It’s home to countless species of bees, and all of those bees need food and pollen to spread. If you want to help out your buzzing neighbors, a clover lawn is a great place to start.
More sustainable
Another reason to plant a clover lawn is that it’s more sustainable and uses less water than turfgrass. Utah is one of the driest states in the nation, and even though its droughts are mostly behind it, saving water is almost never a bad thing.
Clover lawns need very little water once they’re established. Most only need to be watered once a season due to their deep root systems, which allow them access to moisture that might be out of reach of a turfgrass lawn. A clover lawn is also very low maintenance, requiring very little mowing and fertilization compared to turfgrass.
Good for soil
Next, clover lawns are also better for your soil than turfgrass. Thanks to their aforementioned deep roots, they help break up your soil and prevent compaction. It also enriches the soil by adding nitrogen. Under the right circumstances, a white clover lawn can add as much as 100 to 150 pounds of nitrogen to your soil per year.
Clover lawns are good specifically for Utah because their root systems have the added benefit of helping prevent soil erosion. As a dry state, Utah landscapes are particularly vulnerable to soil erosion. Erosion leads to the loss of topsoil and valuable nutrients, so it’s to be avoided whenever possible.
Repels weeds
Finally, clover lawns help naturally repel weeds, thereby reducing the need for chemical herbicides or other weed control measures. Clover is a very strong plant, and that strength allows it to outcompete weaker weeds that would invade your landscape.
Utahns are no strangers to weeds. Common Utah weeds range from Foxtail to Knotweed, as well as the herbicide-resistant Mallow and many species of Thistle. Clover lawns can help keep all of these and more out of your lawn, making them a boon for the weed-weary homeowner.
Cons of a clover lawn in Utah
Doesn’t last
Unfortunately, a clover lawn also has its downsides. One of them is that many species of lawn clover are short-lived perennials, which means that they don’t last forever. A clover lawn may need to be reseeded every year or at least every couple of years.
Water-conscious Utahns may not want to go through the effort of reseeding their clover lawn every year. Clover may need little water once it’s fully established, but when it’s still in that establishment phase, it’s a thirsty plant. If the reseeding falls in a time of drought, you may not have the water available to grow back your lawn.
Clover spreads
Next, while clover can help repel other weeds, it’s also a very aggressive plant in its own right. It can invade flower beds and gardens or even spread into other landscapes. Clover is often considered a weed itself for exactly this reason.
This kind of aggressive spreading is a problem for Utah landscapes specifically because many clovers (especially white clover, a common lawn clover) are considered nasty weeds in the Beehive State. Your neighbors may not appreciate your lawn creeping into theirs. If you do choose to plant a clover lawn, take measures to prevent it from spreading to unwanted areas.
Attracts pests
Finally, Utahns with clover lawns may see more pollinators than normal, but that may not be a good thing for everyone. People with bee allergies likely should avoid clover lawns since they can bring in a lot of bees, especially in the Beehive State. In addition, clover lawns attract other insects, such as aggressive wasps or bothersome ticks.
FAQ
What type of clover is best for a Utah lawn?
White clover is a very drought-hardy clover type that can withstand the dry conditions of Utah. In addition, it’s less attractive to pests than other clover types, which means that homeowners will have less to worry about.
When is the best time to plant a new lawn in Utah?
The best time to plant a Utah lawn depends on what you’re planting and where you’re planting it. Late summer is the best planting time for cool-season grasses in northern Utah, while warm-season grass should be planted in spring or early summer.
Find a lawn expert now
Clover lawns have many benefits for Utahns, but they’re not for everyone. Consider the pros and cons carefully before planting a clover lawn.
If you’re looking for lawn help, find local Utah pros near you. We’ll take care of your lawn from Salt Lake City to St. George.
Main Image Credit: matthewholderfield | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
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