Many new homeowners and gardeners will be taking advantage of the spring temperatures to give their gardens a new lease of life. 

For those individuals starting with a black canvas, reseeding a dead lawn, lifting rolled turf, or if they're completely relandscaping, experts reveal that there is an alternative to traditional grass seed. 

Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People, said: “Growing a clover lawn is highly beneficial for those looking for a climate-smart, eco-friendly solution for their garden. 

“It boasts environmental benefits like providing a bio-diverse habitat for wildlife and pollinators such as bees and butterflies, as well as acting as a natural fertiliser. 

“Clover fights against nitrous oxide pollution and converts nitrogen in the air, sharing it through its roots, feeding itself and any companion grass seed growing around it.” 

Many see clover as a weed, but it is very much the opposite. Clover can actually work for you and your lawn to keep weeds at bay, as Chris McIlroy explained: “Clover is a wild plant that outgrows typical garden weeds on your lawn. 

“For the few weeds that remain, take the time to remove them by hand and don’t be tempted to use a Feed, Weed & Mosskiller product as this would also target your clover.” 

Experts suggest that clover is extremely easy to sow, grow and maintain, as Chris McIlroy explained: “sowing is not much different to sowing grass seed, it will require less mowing than grass, and it does not require feeding. 

“The essential step is to water your clover regularly for the first four weeks until it is fully established. 

“It has a clever rooting system, so it doesn't need to be watered as often as regular grass seed, which is ideal for those wanting to cut back on water usage. 

“This is a major advantage for sowing clover from seed, unlike traditional white clover, which you would seed appearing in your lawn, growing from seed is resilient, hardy and beautiful, that is drought tolerant and grows well in most soil conditions.”