Peace and Environment News * April 2001

Consider Clover for Your Lawn

from Health Dangers of Urban Use of Pesticides Working Group, Ottawa

Clover is an eco-friendly way to restore your earth. Spread clover seed on your yard this summer and enjoy a low- to no-maintenance, chemical-free lawn where kids and pets can safely roll.

White Dutch Clover is recommended for lawns from B.C. to the Maritimes because it is:

• very hardy: tolerates foot traffic, children's play and Canadian winters;
• adaptable: thrives in sun or shade and spreads to fill gaps;
• competitive with weeds and dandelions, and pest resistant, so no toxic pesticides are needed;
• low-growing: mowing is optional. Less power mowing saves energy and reduces greenhouse gases that cause global warming;
• drought tolerant: needs little or no watering;
• a "living mulch": holds moisture in soil and discourages weeds in gardens; and finally
• a soil de-compactor: digger roots loosen up the earth.

White Dutch Clover can be mixed with your existing grass to fill in bare spots or to start a new clover lawn. One pound of seed costs about $6, and covers 1000 square feet of bare ground.

If soil tends to be at all acidic, a light dusting of dolomitic lime before seeding is strongly recommended. Spread seed by hand or seeder and water. If allowed to grow up and bloom, clover reseeds itself, year after year. Clover tends to stay green through drought and insect attacks which would damage grass.

Did you know that the average annual costs of maintaining a conventional chemically-dependent lawn on a lot 100 feet by 50 feet are $400, 33 hours (the equivalent of four 8-hour Saturdays), 14,000 litres of water, 70 lb. chemical fertilizers, 46 lb. of chemical pesticides and 13 litres of gasoline? A typical gas-powered mower emits as much air pollution annually as a car driven half way across Canada. (Figures are based on information from "Definitely in my Backyard," Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.)

Converted June 16, 2001 - Lg

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