Yes, grass clover together makes for a healthier lawn than either plant alone. Experts now suggest mixing these two plants since they help each other grow stronger. This combo was standard for lawns up until the 1950s when herbicides pushed clover out of style.
I tested this mix in my own front yard two springs ago using tall fescue and white clover. The clover took about three weeks to show up while the grass filled in faster. By fall, I had a thick carpet with green patches of clover spread through the grass.
My neighbor saw the results and asked what I did different. I told him the mixed lawn looked better than my pure grass backyard with half the effort. He started his own clover grass mixture the next spring and got similar results.
The reason these two plants work well together comes down to nitrogen sharing. Clover grabs nitrogen from the air and stores it in root nodules. When those roots die or release compounds, the nitrogen moves into the soil. Your grass then soaks up that free nitrogen and grows darker green.
Getting the right clover grass mixture matters for long term success. Lawn care guides suggest using 15 to 20% clover mixed with 80 to 85% grass by seed weight. This gives you enough clover to provide nitrogen without taking over.
When mixing grass and clover seed, you have two main options for planting. You can blend the seeds in a bucket before spreading them across your lawn. Or you can spread the grass seed first, then come back and scatter clover on top.
I found that spreading them at the same time gave me the most even coverage. The clover seeds are tiny compared to grass seeds, so they fill in between the larger seeds well. Just shake your spreader often since the different seed sizes can settle apart.
Your grass type choice affects how well this mix works out. Tall fescue partners best with clover since both plants like similar mowing heights. Kentucky bluegrass also works great and fills in bare spots through underground runners.
Stay away from aggressive grasses like bermuda that will crowd out your clover over time. These fast spreaders grab all the space and leave nothing for clover to claim. Bunch type grasses give clover room to grow between their clumps.
Mowing height makes a huge difference in keeping your clover alive and healthy. Set your mower blade to 3 inches or higher to let the clover thrive. Lower cuts stress clover plants and give grass the edge in competing for space.
You might need to skip one mowing in spring and fall to let clover flowers bloom for bees. These blooms only last a week or two, so this delay helps pollinators without hurting your lawn. After the flowers fade, mow as normal.
Give your mixed lawn at least one full growing season before judging the results. The clover and grass need time to find their balance in your specific soil. By year two, you should see a thick, green lawn that needs less water and zero nitrogen fertilizer.
Read the full article: Clover vs Grass: Which Lawn Is Right for You
