Palm Sunday, March 24:
I’ve been wondering what to do with my brown, crappy-looking, sloping backyard lawn, especially now that I’ve joined the ranks of low-income earners and don’t have money to throw at expensive yard maintenance. I did some research into rock gardens, but it would still cost a pretty penny to create one… and then there’s the problem of me having zero landscaping or handyman skills.
Today, the Holy Spirit sends me the solution: a YouTube Short talking about “clover lawns.”
I’ve never heard of a clover lawn, so I’m doing some research… and am super excited. Dutch white clover seeds (which is what you want) are cheap, and you have to mow a clover lawn only 1–2 times a season. It needs no fertilizer; in fact, it improves the soil by adding nitrogen to it. And it needs a lot less water than turf grass, which is fantastic because in the summer, it can get pretty dry here in Ohio. On top of that, clover crowds out weeds and, once blooming, attracts bees and butterflies. Plus, it looks so pretty! (If you want to learn more, here’s a good article.)
Now, if you walk on your lawn a lot, this may not be for you, but I barely ever set foot on that slope. I just want it to look nice. Another big plus: You don’t have to dig up the existing lawn or rototill your yard to prepare the soil for the clover. Just cut the grass as short as possible and toss the seeds on top. Then you have to water the seeds, but even that can be avoided if you simply sow right before it rains.
My weather app says it’ll rain on Tuesday, so I’m ordering those seeds right now. $19.95 for two pounds at Amazon. Looks like a steal to me. Thank you, Lord, for providing me with this easy-to-do yard makeover!
Monday, March 25:
The seeds came today (thank you, VatiGod*), but now I have to figure out how to get my lawn cut before the rain.
As I am thinking this, I hear a familiar humming next door. Looking out the window, I see my neighbor C., who last summer graciously mowed my lawn and whom I haven’t seen in months, happily riding around on his mower. I rush out and beg him to please do my lawn too before tomorrow. It’s a hassle for him because he’ll have to use his push mower, but he agrees. He also refuses to take more than $20, which is a lot less than what I paid him last year.
Praise be to God! Hopefully, with the help of the clover, I won’t need to have that lawn mowed for months after this.
Tuesday, March 26:
It was supposed to start raining around 10:00 AM today, so I figured I could make it to Liturgy of the Hours group at 7:15 AM and Mass at 8:00 AM and then leisurely do the seeding.
But when I wake up at 6:20 AM, the Holy Spirit tells me to get up, get dressed, do my Morning Prayer at home, and then get going on the clover right away. Huh. Fine, whatever. So I head outside at 7:00 AM, in the twilight, and start sowing.
It only takes half an hour to get it done—and just as I finish up spreading the last seeds, I see the first wet sprinkles on my patio. Five minutes later, it’s full-on raining. Speaking about divine timing!!!
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving me the heads up on this! I’m so grateful and in awe. Those are the little God encounters that I live for.
It rains all day long. I hope the seeds haven’t been washed down the slope, but the grass should have kept them in place. The ground is definitely soaked enough, that’s for sure. I’m now happily awaiting the sprouting of my clover lawn.
Wednesday, March 27:
7:30 AM at church. Since it's Holy Week, this morning a dozen penitents are waiting in line for confession as our little group is chanting the Liturgy of the Hours like we always do.
The thought crosses my mind, "We have a pretty large audience today," and immediately I am getting self-conscious and concerned about "performing well."
"Don't worry," says Jesus from the monstrance, "remember, you only have an audience of one."
So true. Don’t try to impress other people when the only one whose opinion really counts is God.
*My personal term of endearment for God the Father. “Vati” (pronounced fuh-tee) means Daddy in German.
God bless you!
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