How Do I Kill Clover In My Lawn
While finding a four leaf clover might bring luck to some, not so to the avid lawn lovers among us!
Clover is not the nastiest of weeds to deal with, but it can still affect your lawn health and is usually a good indicator that something isnt right in your soil.
Luckily clover is a relatively easy fix, so lets have a look at why its in your lawn and what can be done to get rid of it once and for all.
Clover Provides Food For Bees And Butterflies
Clover species have very sweet, nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators such as honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
In times of great pollinator decline, this is a nice way to contribute to the fight for our planets health. However, it may have a downside .
Side note: if you are afraid of wasps, good news. Clover doesnt attract many yellowjackets or hornets since the shape of its flowers makes it difficult for wasps to access their nectar.
For Warm Season Grasses:
1. Celsius WG Celsius WG is a great all around liquid post emergent that kills a large number of broadleaf weeds as well as grassy weeds. It does a great job killing a variety of clovers. Best of all this is safe to use in most warm season grass types such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Centipede.
2. Image Southern Lawn Weed Killer This is another great all around post emergent herbicide that kills a number of broadleaf weeds, including clover. This is actually the go to post emergent I recommend in my lawn care program for warm season grass. Even though the front label says its safe on St. Augustine and Centipede, if you look at the back it says its also good for Bermuda, Zoysia, and Bahia.
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Why Some People Want Clover In Their Lawn
On a side note, it might surprise you to know that some people actually choose to add clover to their lawn. This is due to the fact that clover prevents weeds, fertilises your lawn by adding nitrogen, attracts bees, is soft to walk on, makes your lawn appear greener and shades the soil well. In fact, back in the 1950s and 60s, the optimum lawn mix was around 20% clover. For all these reasons, many people encourage the growth of clover in their lawn and even add in additional microclover to give more uniform clover coverage.
However, if you prefer the look of a smooth, velvety lawn without the distraction of clover flowers and wide leaves, youll need to thoroughly remove this prolific weed. Heres how to do it.
What Will Kill Clover But Not The Lawn
Lawn weedkillers can kill clover but not the lawn although more than one application can be needed. As clover self-seeds, the process is most likely to need repeating in spring.
You will see homemade weedkillers that contain vinegar recommended online, but vinegar can kill lawn grass along with the clover so we dont advise using this method.
If the patches of clover arent extensive, simply removing them by hand will avoid harm to the lawn.
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How To Get Rid Of Clover In My Lawn
Clover is a common weed that invades lawns that lack maintenance or nutrients. Although it unharmful for lawns, some people prefer to get rid of it for the simple reason that its white flowers attract insects. Getting rid of the clover once it’s established can be difficult, but with the right tools and patience you’ll get it done. In this article, we share different methods to help you get rid of clover and control it.
How To Kill Clover Without Weed Killers
Weed killers can be toxic, and all pesticides are the bane of the Organic Lawn and Garden movement. So, in keeping our lawns weed-free, we want to avoid weed killers as our prime directive as Captain Kirk used to say.
With this in mind, lets kill that Clover in the best way possible.
Remember Nitrogen Clover hates it in the soil, and our lawns love it. So lets start right here.
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Clover Enriches The Soil With Nitrogen
All clover varieties are legumes , which means that they are nitrogen-fixers pulling nitrogen from the atmosphere and fixing it within their root system, with the help of some beneficial bacteria.
That means two things:
- Unlike regular lawn grasses, clover doesnt need any nitrogen fertilizer .
- It will enrich the soil with nitrogen, meaning that nearby plants will grow better, and you dont need to fertilize them either!
Perhaps there is a deeper reason why clover has been considered a lucky plant for so long!
Dish Soap Is What Kills Clover But Not Grass
If you are looking for a natural weed killer to kill off your clover problem, you can create a home made weed killer. Many gardeners have reported excellent results when used as a spot treatment.
To make this simple DIY weed killer spray, fill the spray bottle just shy of full with vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
Spray generously on clover as a spot treatment for clumps or use it as a spray for dandelions or other ugly weeds that sprout where you dont want them to. When spraying, do so with caution, as this weed killer may kill surrounding plants.
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Reason : Microclover Provides Clover Benefits Without Drawbacks
Over the years many people have called us wondering how to eliminate the Clover in their lawns without using chemicals. Once they understand the benefits of Clover they often leave the Clover and even consider purchasing additional Microclover to help make the lawn more uniformly Clover covered!
The image above is of a lawn seeded with our Microclover which flowers much less prolifically than standard White Clover and is aggressive enough to spread evenly through a lawn. We’ve found that lawns planted with Microclover stay greener, healthier, and have fewer weeds than lawns with no Clover. In addition, they need less fertilizer and water. So, if you’re now of the mindset that if you can’t “beat clover, join clover” then you might want to learn a little more about it by visiting our Microclover page. You can also purchase Microclover at our online store.
Will Weed Killer Remove Clover In Lawns
If you don’t want to leave your clover to grow, and the methods above don’t seem to be making a dent in the invasion, then it may be time to call in the best weed killers.
According to the RHS, white clover is relatively susceptible to weed killer with dicamba and mecoprop-P, and may be eliminated after one or two applications.
Lesser yellow trefoil , however, is tougher to get rid of with most lawn herbicides, as is birds foot trefoil, another clover-like species. Look for products containing fluroxypyr to tackle it.
The RHS adds how applying weed killer after August can be less effective. ‘As the majority of clovers found in lawns self-seed freely, further applications the following spring will inevitably be required.’
And if you’re looking for an alternative to traditional weed killers? ‘During late spring, apply a liquid iron,’ says David. He explains how the natural product will stress the leaf blades, allowing the grass to outcompete it. These organic products can work for eradicating moss and dandelions from lawns, too, and they won’t damage the grass itself.
Whatever weed killer you go for, just be sure to follow the instructions carefully on the label, and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
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How To Get Rid Of Clover In Grass
1. Maintain a well-fed lawn
The best way to get rid of clover in grass is to put an end to them even before they grow. One way is to feed your lawn, as a conservative estimate, four times every year. This is because clover plants thrive in the less fertilized grass and regular feeding will provide the grass plants with the nutrients they need to grow thick and strong. With nitrogen rich, organic fertilizer, thick grass will then be able to force out broadleaf weeds, including clover.
2. Raise mowing height
While mowing your lawn, you might want to lower the lawn mower height to crop the white blooms, it would actually make more sense to elevate it. Weeds like clover grow low and their roots are often shallow. By raising your mower height, you allow the grass on the lawn to grow slightly taller. This effectively cuts off sunlight and prevents the undesirable clover growth in your lawn.
3. Pull clover manually
If you catch sight of clover in the vicinity of your lawn before they have grown into flowers and have started to spread, you can take the manual approach and remove patches of clover and clover seeds from small areas freehand. Clover extends through roots and crawling stems that will root through the lawn, so make sure you pull it as soon as possible.
Just remember to loosen the soil to separate any remaining roots that you may otherwise miss.
4. Use a Weed Killer
Cornmeal Gluten For Getting Rid Of Clover
Cornmeal gluten is a by-product of wet corn milling. It was originally used to feed domestic animals such as cattle, poultry, fish, and is even incorporated into dog food.
However, cornmeal gluten is also well-known as a natural substitute for pre-emergent herbicides those that target the weed seeds.
How Does Corn Gluten Work?
When you apply cornmeal gluten to your lawn, as it degrades, it releases compounds called dipeptides. These organic dipeptides cause seeds to dry out, preventing them from sprouting or developing normally.
This means that it will affect the weeds that are yet to sprout but wont damage the already established grass. It will also affect the seeds of any established weeds, preventing them from reappearing the next year.
Cornmeal gluten is a natural clover killer but is also effective against the seeds of other well-known weeds such as crabgrass, chickweed, and dandelion. Additionally, it provides some nitrogen, which clover hates.
How to Apply Corn Gluten?
About 20 pounds of cornmeal gluten per 1000 square feet of lawn should do the trick. Spread it over the lawn, water generously, and allow it to dry. The amount will also deliver about 2 pounds of nitrogen.
You can purchase cornmeal gluten in garden centers.
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How To Remove Clover From Your Lawn
Clover or trefoil are common names for flowering plants in the legume or pea family.
A number of clovers and clover-like species can be a persistent nuisance in lawns, especially as they have a strong resistance to weedkillers.
Clovers are perennial weeds which are easily recognised by their trifoliate leaves.
You can find clover all over your garden, especially on lawns.
How To Get Rid Of Clover Naturally
Manual removal of clover in your lawn can be very difficult. Since its roots are well spread, and the plant is mixed in with large sections of grass, it can be near impossible to segregate the clover from the grass.
If your looking for more effective natural ways to get rid of clover then check out: How to Get Rid Of Clover Naturally
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Reasons For Killing Clover
With so much going for it, you may wonder why some homeowners consider clover a weed. But they do, and here are some of the reasons they would give:
- Lawn purists often crave uniformity in a lawn. They feel that a lawn should be composed of nothing but grass, giving it a clean, even look.
- Clover puts out a flower that attracts bees. If you have small children playing on the lawn, this can be an unpleasant experience for them.
- Likewise, due to the fact that clover attracts bees, adults may wish to kill it if they are active on their lawns during the summertime.
- If you will be putting your property on the real estate market soon, you should be tailoring your landscaping to what the average buyer wants. Most people prefer the look of a lawn with no weeds, including clover weeds.
However, there is a way to deal with the concern over bee stings without killing your clover. To be on the safe side, simply make sure to mow during the blooming season for clover .
Getting Rid Of Clover In Lawn Naturally
What kills grass and weeds permanently? The most natural way to control clover is by removing it manually. As soon as you spot a clump of the three-leaf weed, pull it out, root and all.
To remove, loosen up the soil at the base and gently pull the clump out of the ground. Repeat until you successfully remove all clover plants from your lawn.
This is actually the best way to get rid of clover, crabgrass, and almost every other type of weed or grass that grows where it shouldnt. It does take a little time but the reward is knowing that the weeds wont pop up again.
Of course, if you try to kill poison ivy by pulling it by hand, it is very important to wear protective clothing to keep from getting the urushiol on your skin. Thick gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are a must.
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How Will I Know When My Lawn Is Clear Of Clover
While theres no real way to be 100 per cent sure your lawn is free of clover without testing soil samples, you can follow a few simple tells to work out if your lawn is clover-free. These include looking for:
- New weed growth in your lawn and in any areas where clover was previously growing. If your lawn is free of clover, you shouldnt see any new growth on your grass.
- Browning or yellowing of the grass in affected areas or patches where clover was present. If this begins to occur, then the clover may be returning and will need to be removed.
- New growth of clover in the spring and early summer months, as this is when it tends to grow the quickest. If you spot any new patches of clover, be sure to remove them before they begin to flower.
How To Get Rid Of White Clover In The Lawn
The perennial white clover pops up between May and October with its bushy white and pale pink flowers. It spreads quickly and is the most common species on UK lawns.
White clover grows in soil with pH levels from neutral to alkaline. So, using lime against white clover in the lawn is ineffective. Instead, lawn fertilisation is the answer. Unlike lawn grasses, clover is adapted to growing in nitrogen-poor soils, but needs a comparatively high amount of phosphate. Our Plantura Lawn Feed ensures an optimal nutrient supply to the lawn and does not support weed growth it contains a lot of nitrogen and potassium and only a small amount of phosphate.
- Perfect for a healthy & lush green lawn without moss
- Supports your lawn with all the nutrients it needs in spring & summer
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products – child & pet friendly
White clover should never be scarified, as this will only make it spread further into the lawn. Instead, use a spade to dig out individual plants. Dig deep to make sure you get all the roots out.
Covering white clover with a light-excluding sheet for about eight weeks in the summer can eliminate it from larger areas. Just remember to reseed the lawn afterwards.
With a growth height of 5 to 20 cm some flowers even up to 30 cm high! the blades of a lawn mower can easily cut and, thus, weaken white clover. However, take care not to cut the grass too short.
Overview: White clover
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Kill Clover In Grass With Plastic
A surefire way to kill clover is to deprive it of what it needs to thrive, which are oxygen and sunlight. Use a garbage bag or other type of plastic sheeting to cover the clover patch. Secure the sheeting down with stakes or heavy objects to prevent it from blowing away.
For best results and to increase your chances of not killing the surrounding grass, only use this method on more extensive patches of clover. Within a few weeks, the plastic sheeting will kill off the clover and any future seeds.
This is also a great way to get rid of crabgrass patches in the lawn or other weeds that occur in a specific area. It also requires very little effort. If you have the time, smothering is an ideal solution for weeds.
Covering Clover With Plastic Sheets
Covering clover with a dark plastic sheet such as a garbage bag will deprive it of two key elements sunlight and oxygen. Additionally, if it is in a sunny position, the plastic will sort of steam-cook the plants beneath it.
The method is practical only for larger, homogenous clover patches, as all plants will be killed, including the surrounding grass. However, you then have the option of re-seeding your lawn with a more appropriate grass seed mix that is better suited to your climate and water availability, and will be less likely to leave room for clover to return.
If youre not sure which grass species to go for, have a read of this article.
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