Clover’s like that one guest who shows up for a backyard BBQ and then just… never leaves. I tried putting in a little brick border around my raised beds, but the clover still found a way to sneak through the cracks. Honestly, I just yank it when I see it in the veggies and call it good. The bees seem to love it, and I figure a few rogue clover patches are better than a yard full of bare dirt. Plus, it’s way less work than fighting dandelions every spring.
- Had a client once who tried to keep clover out with a concrete curb—still found it poking through the tiniest cracks.
- I get the appeal though. Clover’s tough, but it’s not the worst thing to have around. Beats bare patches or mud after a rain.
- Ever notice how it creeps right up to the patio but never seems to cross onto the pavers? Makes me wonder if it just likes messing with us.
- I’m more annoyed by crabgrass, honestly. At least clover brings in the bees and doesn’t wreck the look of the yard.
Clover’s kind of a survivor, isn’t it? I’ve seen it squeeze through the smallest cracks, even where you’d swear nothing could grow. Honestly, I don’t mind it much either—way better than staring at muddy patches or fighting off crabgrass every week. Funny thing about the pavers though... maybe the gaps just aren’t wide enough for it to get a foothold, or maybe it just likes to keep us guessing. I’ll take clover over crabgrass any day—at least it looks intentional if you squint a bit.
I’ll take clover over crabgrass any day—at least it looks intentional if you squint a bit.
Funny how something as simple as clover can change the whole vibe of a yard. I know some folks get hung up on having that perfect, uniform lawn, but honestly, a patchwork of clover feels more inviting to me. It’s got that “lived-in” look, like the space is actually used and enjoyed, not just maintained for show.
About the pavers—clover’s persistence is impressive, but you’re right, the gap size makes a big difference. If you ever want to encourage it between stones, you can widen the joints a bit and fill them with a sandy soil mix. Clover seeds will take to that pretty quickly, especially if you keep things moist for the first couple weeks. I’ve done this in a few backyard projects, and it softens up the hard lines of the pavers without turning into a maintenance nightmare. Plus, it’s a lot less slippery than moss when things get wet.
Crabgrass, on the other hand... that stuff’s relentless. I’ve tried everything from pulling to vinegar sprays, and it always seems to come back twice as thick. Clover at least plays nice with the rest of the yard, and it’s not picky about soil. There’s also something satisfying about seeing bees and butterflies hanging around the little white flowers.
If you’re leaning into that cozy, intentional look, mixing in some low-growing thyme or even creeping Jenny with the clover can add a bit of color and texture. It’s a small touch, but it really makes the space feel curated without being fussy. Just takes a bit of patience for it all to fill in.
Anyway, I’d say you’re on the right track letting clover do its thing. Sometimes the best outdoor spaces are the ones that don’t fight nature so much as work with it.
Clover’s definitely got that “meant to be there” vibe, especially compared to crabgrass, which just looks like it’s trying to take over the world. I’ve done the sandy soil trick between pavers too, and it really does make a difference—plus, you don’t end up with that muddy mess after a rain.
I’ll admit, I used to be one of those “perfect lawn” types, but after a few summers fighting weeds and brown spots, I just gave up and let the clover do its thing. Now the yard looks better than ever and I spend way less time fussing over it. The bees seem pretty happy about it too.
Mixing in thyme is a solid idea. I tried creeping thyme in one spot last year and it smells amazing when you walk on it. Only thing is, it took a while to fill in—guess patience really is key with this stuff. Still beats battling crabgrass every weekend.
