A beautiful lawn is a marvelous thing, but they do take a lot of expense and effort. There are a lot of costs, such as fuel for lawnmowers, fertilizers, and pesticides. They need a lot of water too! Three easy and low maintenance alternatives to having a traditional landscaped lawn are clover, creeping thyme, and artificial turf. What are the differences?
A lush green lawn is the dream for many homeowners. But traditional grass lawns require extensive upkeep through frequent mowing watering, fertilizing, and more. If you’re seeking an easier care alternative consider converting your lawn to a clover and creeping thyme paradise. This flowering groundcover combo offers unmatched beauty and benefits for your yard.
An Overview of Clover and Creeping Thyme Lawns
Clover and creeping thyme make an ideal duo for establishing a flowering lawn. The low-growing, nitrogen-fixing clovers provide an attractive green backdrop and weed-choking groundcover. Intermingled is the herbaceous creeping thyme which offers elegantly trailing stems bedecked in purple-pink blossoms.
There are a few types of clovers suitable for lawns, including:
- White Dutch clover – Large-leaved, most vigorous, higher flowering
- Micro clover – Small-leaved, low growing, low flowering
- Crimson clover – Gorgeous red blooms, annual/biennial
For creeping thyme, common thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is the best choice. Together, clover and thyme create a soft, lush carpet that replaces water-hungry grass
Benefits of Clover and Creeping Thyme Lawns
Converting to a clover and thyme lawn offers many advantages:
- Fixes nitrogen, reducing fertilizer needs
- Requires less mowing, watering, maintenance
- Tolerates partial shade and drought
- Softens soil and prevents erosion
- Loved by pollinators!
Once established, clover and thyme lawns are lower maintenance than traditional lawns. But transforming an existing lawn takes some patience and work.
Removing Existing Grass and Preparing for New Seeds
Converting a regular grass lawn to clover and thyme will take 1-2 growing seasons. Here are the steps:
- Kill off existing grass using non-chemical methods like solarizing or cardboard mulch. Avoid herbicide residue.
- Loosen soil by de-thatching, aerating, and raking up debris to enable seed-to-soil contact. Level uneven areas.
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost to improve fertility, moisture retention, and beneficial microbes.
- Plant clover and thyme seeds in spring or fall. Gently water daily until germination.
- Mow existing grass down to 2-3 inches to allow new seeds to establish. Remove weeds as needed.
Once the clover and thyme is flourishing, you’ll have a gorgeous new lawn!
Choosing the Right Clover and Thyme Varieties
Selecting suitable clover and thyme varieties tailored to your climate ensures the best results:
- White Dutch Clover – Vigorous groundcover and abundant blooms. Mow often to limit flower stalk height.
- Micro Clover – Lower growing and less flowering. Handles shade and foot traffic well.
- Creeping Thyme – Lovely blooms. Tolerates light foot traffic. Thrives in sun or light shade.
Match species to your specific growing conditions for optimal performance. Verify clovers and thyme are perennial in your zone before purchasing seeds.
Planting Clover and Thyme Seeds
Follow these tips when planting clover and thyme seeds:
- Mix tiny seeds with sand for even distribution.
- Broadcast seeds by hand or use a spreader. Aim for 1 oz each per 250 sq ft of lawn.
- Gently water seeds daily until germination. Keep top inch of soil moist but not saturated.
- Mow existing grass down to 2-3 inches after planting. Continue mowing at this height.
- Expect germination in 10-30 days. Go slow, seeds and seedlings are small at first!
- Follow package instructions carefully for proper seeding rates. Too little or too much seed causes problems.
Spring and fall are ideal times for sowing. Ensure consistent moisture for successful germination.
Caring for a Thriving Clover and Creeping Thyme Lawn
Follow these tips to keep your established clover and thyme lawn healthy:
- Water deeply 1-2 times per week during dry periods to maintain moist but not soggy soil.
- Mow regularly at 2-3 inches to encourage spreading and limit flower stalks. Allow self-seeding.
- Apply annual compost topdressings to improve soil biology, structure, and nutrients.
- Hand weed as needed. Avoid herbicides that can harm clovers and thyme.
- Overseed bare patches to maintain thick coverage.
- Minimize foot traffic on the low-growing plants when wet.
With proper mowing, occasional watering, topdressing, overseeding, and weeding your flowering lawn will flourish! The clover’s nitrogen-fixing capabilities eliminate the need for fertilizer.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Despite attentive care, here are some potential issues and solutions:
- Poor germination – Reseed at double strength ensuring adequate moisture. Scarify seeds.
- Weak coverage – Overseed bare spots. Improve drainage and reduce watering.
- Flowers disappear – Mow less frequently and at a higher height to allow blooms.
- Weeds invading – Hand pull weeds before they seed. Solarize lawn to kill weed seeds.
- Dies out – Confirm clovers and thyme are perennial in your zone. Mulch for winter protection.
- Moss developing – Improve drainage and reduce moisture. Rake vigorously to remove moss.
Adjust maintenance practices as needed to create optimal growing conditions. Have patience, it takes time to establish a thick, lush flowering lawn.
The Benefits of a Clover and Creeping Thyme Lawn
There are many excellent reasons to convert your traditional lawn to a clover and thyme paradise:
- Saves water – drought tolerant once established
- Eliminates chemical fertilizers – clover fixes nitrogen
- Attracts pollinators with plentiful blossoms
- Reduces runoff and erosion
- Tolerates foot traffic and pets better than grass
- Stays greener in shade and cool weather
- Fewer weeds thanks to clover’s dense growth
- Less mowing and maintenance required
By planting clover and creeping thyme, you can transform your lawn into a gorgeous and eco-friendly oasis buzzing with life. Follow the steps outlined here for removal, seeding, and care to create a thriving clover and thyme lawn you’ll love. Ditch the grass and welcome the flowers!
Creeping Thyme or Clover
Creeping thyme and Clover are both ground covering plants that are easy to grow.
Clover grows very fast in any condition. There are many varieties; be sure to choose a species that is not invasive. It blooms in spring and summer, in direct sun or partial shade, and it attracts bees. There are many benefits to a clover lawn including the fact that it stays green with less water and easily covers a large area.
Creeping thyme grows more slowly and it is not invasive. Those who want to replace their lawn with something else usually choose between clover and creeping thyme since they grow at different speeds. Clover will choke out the creeping thyme. Creeping thyme is easy to grow, and it also blooms, likes full sun, and attracts pollinators. Creeping thyme is similar to other types of thyme, but it is so-called because it creeps on the ground as a cover.
Soil drainage is important for both plants, but they can both tolerate poor soil. There is no need to fertilize or try to improve the soil. In fact, clover improves the soil as it brings its own nitrogen.
What about artificial turf? Think of this as outdoor carpet! It may be expensive to install to begin with, but once it is there, it is there. It requires no mowing, no watering, no feeding, and can last a long time – in some cases, 25 years or more. It will save water and reduce waste.
There are pros and cons to consider with any of these choices, but these alternatives are lovely to look at, easy to take care of, and make for unique landscaping ideas. Alternatives to grass lawns mean substitutes that are safe against wildfires, require much less water, and are just as beautiful as grass.
You have options! So, explore them all.
This story is brought to you by Great West Media Content Studio. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
10 Ground Cover Plants to Replace Your Lawn
FAQ
Does creeping thyme grow well with clover?
- Weed Suppression: Both plants can help prevent weeds by creating a dense ground cover.
- Pollinator Attraction: Both thyme and clover attract pollinators like bees.
- Soil Improvement: Clover, in particular, can add nitrogen to the soil, improving its health.
- Low Maintenance: They can be a low-maintenance alternative to traditional lawns, according to OutsidePride.com.
What is the downside of creeping thyme lawn?
Downsides include:
Tolerates less foot traffic, but thrives around pavers or stepping stones. Flowers attract bees and may need regular mowing if you want to minimize them. Potential for woody growth if not mowed or pruned. Woody plants may need replacement with younger ones.
What are the cons to clover lawns?
Aside from their bad-weed reputation, there honestly are not a lot of cons to clover lawns. The biggest issue is that clover doesn’t handle heavy foot traffic as well as grass, where extensive wear and tear occurs. If you are constantly having teenagers play soccer in the backyard, a clover yard may not be a good fit.
Is creeping thyme toxic to dogs?