Question
QUESTION: I have a house in north western Virginia and our soil is very heavily clay. I
build this house 30 years ago and other than the initial seeding, I have not
done anything other than mowing and raking leaves. Consequently our front
septic area lawn, with woods on three sides, has large bare clay areas near
the tree line. Our backyard which is more shaded has areas of wild
strawberries and clover which I love for their tiny flowers and fruit color. Since
I don't like maintenance and mowing, I would like to get rid of the grass and
spread the strawberries and clover over all of our yard areas. Is there a way of
killing off the grass while keeping the areas where the strawberries and clover
have taken root. Also, are there places that sell seeds for reseeding the front
yard with these so called "weeds". Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Walt

ANSWER: Interesting question.  The trickiest part of this challenge is avoiding the growth of un-wanted Weeds when you remove the Grass.  You have a few options -- but I need to know (if you can tell me) what kind of Grass you are growing: Rye, Fescue, Bluegrass, a mixture, anonymous turf?  Also, I trust you have not used any chemicals (fertilizer, pesticides, weedkillers or otherwise) on your Clay, correct?  rsvp

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do not know what kind of grass. Best guess is Fescue. I have not used
fertilizers or pesticides except on a small number of ant hills more than 8 years
ago.

Answer
Wild Strawberry - either Fragraria virginiana or Fragraria vesca - produces edible fruit with a potent flavor, making up in intensity what it lacks in size.

F. vesca grows via runners, in rich topsoil with good drainage, Full Sun to part Shade. It's the Strawberry that Shakespeare wrote about.

F. virginiana is native to the U.S. and is the more common of the two - probably the one you have.  It spreads via Rhizomes.  Given enough light, both species spread with ease; probably in your yard that would be in proportion to the amount of Sun its gets.  If it is growing in dappled shade or darker, it may grow slowly, and under the shade of an older Tree it won't stand a chance.  Shade-loving Weeds however most certainly will overtake it.

Clover likewise will not fare well without the right dose of bright light.  White, Red or Pink - it doesn't matter, they are going to need some Sun.

Your Laissez-Faire Lawn Philosophy undoubtedly has supported wildlife all around you.  My guess is that the Soil your so-called 'Weeds' are growing in is probably excellent topsoil by now, with a lot of Organic Matter and the right pH to cultivate these two plants.  The limiting factor however is still going to be Sun exposure.  Pity, because the Strawberries would easily take over the area with enough light.  They form groundcovers very naturally.

What I think you should do is target areas where you see the Fragraria is growing best.  Don't fertilize - that would simply wipe out (yes, fertilizer does that by raising the Salt content of the Soil) the microbes in the Soil near the bottom of the food chain.

Where you see Grass, dig up the Grass, and plant instead your choice of Pachysandra, Hosta (and there are many of these), Ivy or some other Shade loving groundcover.  Trim from time to time to make sure the soil is reasonably moist to the touch.  Clover generates its own supply of fuel (N fixation) and needs no further attention.

You can get Seeds for both as you know.  But both self-seed, too.

Newly planted Hosta and Pachysandra need a lot of TLC their first year, while they are becoming established.  In time, though, they will live almost completely on their own.  And all of these will be able to out-compete new, un-wanted Weeds better than Wild Strawberry or Clover can.

Fescue does better than most Grass in shade.  You will have to hand remove it if that is what you have.  Make absolutely sure it does not set seed, or you will just be growing more Fescue, which equals less Fragraria.  The moist, woodland pH favors the acid Soil loving Fragraria and Clover.

Thanks for your question.  I'm happy to answer any followups you have in response.