Exploring Alternatives to Grass Lawns: Scotts Pursue Clover Lawn

Traditional turfgrass has many benefits. It looks great, whether or not you’re completely on top of feeding, weeding, watering, or mowing. Plus, there’s just something satisfying about a lush, green yard. But maybe you’re ready for something different than traditional grass. You might be a lawn maintenance master, but interested in trying a new kind of lawn care experience. Perhaps recent droughts have you worried and your grass looking a little withered.

At Scotts®, we know that some are in pursuit of a new or different kind of lawn experience. That’s why we created Scotts® Pursue™ Clover Lawn, a lower maintenance and drought-resistant alternative to a traditional grass lawn.

Here’s what you need to know about clover:

• Naturally self-fertilizes by converting nitrogen in the air to nitrogen fertilizer
• Stays greener, longer during short-term drought 
• Establishes more quickly than traditional turfgrass 
• Requires less mowing than turfgrass lawns

For those ready for something different, Scotts® Pursue™ Clover Lawn is a lower maintenance option you’ll want to consider. Clover naturally self-fertilizes by working with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert nitrogen in the air to usable nitrogen fertilizer, which means you can worry less about feeding your lawn. In addition, this low-growing ground cover requires less frequent mowing than turfgrasses, or better yet, no mowing at all! You’ll also be watering your clover lawn less than most traditional turfgrass lawns. Clover develops a taproot system that can access water stored deep in the soil profile. Scotts® Pursue™ Clover Lawn uses strawberry clover, which has a taproot system that lives longer to grow deeper than white clover, and helps strawberry clover stay greener longer during short-term drought. Because clover spreads by stolons, it’s quick to establish compared to most turfgrass. Clover’s durability also shines through its tolerance for a variety of conditions – from Hardiness Zones 4 to 9 and in spots with full sun to partial shade.

A versatile seeding option, clover is great for mixing with turfgrasses, creating a whole new lawn, or using in decorative landscape areas. Unlike other ground covers, clover can be used to overseed with turfgrasses. This creates a unique look in your lawn, and clover’s self-fertilizing properties will help your traditional grass, too. If you do opt for a clover-only lawn, you’ll need to put in a little extra sweat to remove all existing grass.

While many growers will appreciate that clover’s fuzzy pink and white flowers attract bees and other pollinators, others may find this less than attractive. Whether you love bees or prefer to keep a comfortable distance, be prepared for pollinators showing up to enjoy your clover lawn.