I get the appeal of clover, and yeah, it’s definitely easier than chasing after every weed. But honestly, I still think there’s something to be said for a classic grass lawn—if you pick the right type for your climate and soil, it doesn’t have to be a constant battle. I tried mixing in thyme once too, but it ended up patchy and just looked messy for way longer than I had patience for. Maybe I’m just old school, but sometimes a little extra effort upfront pays off in the long run. That said, anything that keeps crabgrass at bay is worth considering... that stuff’s relentless.
Totally get where you’re coming from—there’s just something about a well-kept grass lawn that feels classic. I’ve seen a lot of properties where folks try to mix in other ground covers, and honestly, it can be hit or miss. Sometimes the “low maintenance” options end up being more work than expected. Sticking with what works for your space makes sense, especially if you’ve found a grass that holds up. Crabgrass really is the worst... feels like it pops up overnight no matter what you do.
Crabgrass really is relentless. I’ve had a few rental properties where no matter how much we tried to keep the lawn pristine, that stuff just kept sneaking in. Funny thing, one place we tried clover as a ground cover—looked great for a season, then got patchy and weird. Sometimes the “easy” fix just isn’t. Grass might be old-school, but when it works, it works.
Crabgrass is like that one tenant who never pays rent but somehow keeps showing up, right? Here’s my go-to routine for stubborn lawns: I start with a pre-emergent in early spring (timing’s everything), then overseed with a tough grass variety—fescue’s been solid for me. Mulching the edges helps too, especially where the crabgrass likes to sneak in. I’ve tried clover as well, but it just didn’t hold up long-term. Sometimes, sticking with classic turf and a little patience wins out over the trendy fixes.
Crabgrass is like that one tenant who never pays rent but somehow keeps showing up, right?
Ever tried mixing in native groundcovers instead of clover? I get what you mean about trendy fixes not always lasting—clover looked great for me at first, but faded out by late summer. Curious if you’ve noticed any difference with mulching types around the edges?