As traditional lawns fade out of vogue, alternatives grow in popularity. Emily Henderson is leading the charge by replacing the grass in her yard with clover.
She shared her backyard idea in a recent Instagram reel, stating: 'We made the controversial decision... to replace our grass with clover. It's low maintenance. It requires far less watering than grass. It's affordable, once the soil is prepped, it can be as cheap $50.
Mowing is optional; some people mow every few weeks to manage blooms, but we're going to let ours grow! It attracts pollinators and supports biodiversity, and the animals love to eat it. We're so happy with it.'
According to experts, the swap is growing as a popular garden trend. We spoke with gardens expert and Homes & Gardens content editor, Tenielle Jordison, to get the scoop.
Tenielle explains: 'Growing a clover lawn to cut down on mowing is something I’ve seen become more and more popular. As Emily shows in her video, it’s low-maintenance, requires less water than a grass lawn, and it’s a big hitter with pollinators.'
Shop the trend
Start your clover lawn off with this affordable bag of seeds. The small white flowers bring about an interesting pop of color.
This wildflower seed blend was formulated to attract pollinators to your yard, so you can have a garden just as vibrant and alive as Emily Henderson's. It includes Zinnia, Cosmos, Marigold, and Milkweed seeds, among others.
This American-made rake has dozens of five-star reviews. It's lightweight, so it's easy to use, and the dual tines mean that it won't clog. It's the best tool to create the perfect clover layout.
Better yet, this solution to the anti-lawn movement is simple to apply to your own outdoor space.
'It’s easy to create, too, as clovers are wildflowers that spread quickly by self-seeding,' states Tenielle. 'Simply prepare your soil by removing existing vegetation and raking it even. You can then spread clover seed, gently working it into the soil. Make sure to keep the seeds well-watered to aid germination.'
If you want the look to feel more personal, there is an easy way to add pops of color. Tenielle advises: 'This is also a great option if you’re keen to incorporate some wild planting in your yard. For a pop of color, you could even sprinkle some other wildflower seeds to turn your clover lawn into a wildflower meadow.'
A clover lawn is a feast for the senses and a boon to the environment. Though it's not traditional, it's clear it's growing in popularity. Between the ease of creating it and its obvious benefits, I think we will be seeing even more of this over the next few years.
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