Knowing how to get rid of clover in a lawn effectively is essential if you want nothing but grass. Clover can survive close mowing, so other strategies are necessary when it’s not welcome in the yard. Show
Clover’s trifoliate leaves and flowers are going to compromise your lawn's appearance but the good news is that there are a few different methods you can use to banish clover, just as when you are getting rid of dandelions or getting rid of crabgrass. What’s more, they needn’t involve weed killers if you prefer not to use chemicals in the backyard. Learn how to get rid of clover in a lawn with our guide and expert tips. How to get rid of clover in a lawnBefore you get rid of clover in a lawn, consider whether you actually need to. The blooms of clover might, after all, be welcome as part of your wildlife garden ideas, since they are amongst the flowers that attract bees. ‘Most gardeners have a love-hate relationship with clovers as they can be invasive in lawns, and survive close mowing, but they also provide important nectar for pollinators such as bees,’ says Ruth Hayes, gardening editor, Amateur Gardening. However, if making a lawn green and thick (and just that) is the goal, here’s how to get rid of clover in a lawn. ‘Your two main routes for combating clover are cultural and chemical,’ explains Ruth Hayes. ‘By cultural I mean digging up clumps of the weed and feeding the surrounding grass so it grows strongly and fills up any bare patches in grass where clover might take hold. However, avoid fertilizing a lawn during hot and dry spells as it will scorch the grass and do more damage than good.’ How to get rid of clover in a lawn by handIt is possible to get rid of clover without resorting to anything more than your own efforts – and some garden tools. Simply use a hand fork to dig out the plants. ‘Pluck the clover up, ensuring you have removed all the roots along with it,’ advises Samantha Richards of Gazeboshop (opens in new tab). ‘This method ensures you haven’t killed your grass, and is a cheaper method of removal than buying a new spray product.’ How to get rid of clover in a lawn by mowingIf the problem is worse than just a few plants, mowing can be helpful. The RHS (opens in new tab) (Royal Horticultural Society) recommends raking the lawn to lift the stems of clover then going over it with a lawn mower. Use a grass catcher to reduce the potential for seed dispersal, the experts say. How to get rid of clover in a lawn with weedkillerWeedkiller can be targeted towards clover in a lawn. ‘If you use a weedkiller, make sure it is for lawns, because if you use a generic one it will kill the grass as well,’ says Ruth Hayes. ‘There are several effective products on the market, but apply them before August when they become less effective. Also remember that clover self-seeds prolifically so you may have to deal with more plants next spring.’ Always follow manufacturer’s guidelines on weedkiller use. ‘Remember, too, not to add lawn clippings that have been treated with weedkiller to the compost heap and avoid using weedkiller on new lawns as it will scratch the grass,’ Ruth cautions. Is clover OK in a lawn?Clover can be OK in a lawn. It will be welcome if your aim is a wildlife garden, as it provides nectar for insects. And a lawn with flowers can be very desirable. There’s even a growing trend for clover lawns instead of grass versions. But if you want weed-free grass, then getting rid of clover from a lawn is necessary. 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 don’t advise using this method. White clover (Trifolium repens), a member of the legume family, is a perennial weed that is common throughout the U.S. It is closely related to the agricultural crops alfalfa and sweet clover. Since it produces its own nitrogen, clover will thrive in lawns that are under-nourished. Although some people like to have clover growing in their lawn, others want to control it because they think it looks messy or are concerned about their children being stung by bees visiting the flowers.  Clover is a member of the pea family. It features three leaves on each stem that are typically green, but can also be purple or red. Most clover is a perennial weed that lives through multiple growing seasons. Clover can spread quickly, so it’s essential to take action as soon as you see it on your lawn.
How To Remove Clover NaturallyRemoving clover naturally means practicing natural landscaping and choosing the most environmentally friendly solutions to create a healthy lawn. You might select organic fertilizer or natural weed killer, for example; or you may opt to pull your weeds with a trowel. Cover the Clover with a Garbage BagIf the clover has contained its growth to one part of your lawn, count yourself fortunate and get started immediately. Like most other plants, clover needs sunlight to live. You can cover the affected area with a dark garbage bag or a heavy plastic sheet. Anchor it down on all four corners with something heavy, such as a rock, so the sheet doesn’t blow away. After several weeks, pick up the sheet. If you waited long enough, the clover will have died. Weed Out Clover by HandIf you are dealing with small patches of clover, weeding by hand is the most effective—and greenest—way to get rid of it. Thankfully, this task isn’t too taxing, even if you don’t think you have a green thumb. Here’s how to do it:
Remember to get the roots, though, or you’ll see those little white flowers sprouting up again in a few days. Spread Mulch Where Clover Has Taken RootIt may be tough to make sure you’ve got all the roots if the clover has sunk its root tendrils into your flower beds or the space around your trees. If you leave even one living root, you may see your clover return before long. A simple solution is to lay down a piece of landscape fabric and dump a heavy supply of mulch on it. The mulch will nourish the soil around your flowers or trees, and the fabric will help prevent clover growth. Mow Your Lawn Higher Than 3 InchesClover is a low-growing plant with a shallow root system. Consequently, it does not grow as tall as the surrounding grass. If you set your mower‘s deck to three inches or higher, it will keep your grass higher than your clover, thus depriving the weed of sunlight. While you might like the look of a close-cropped lawn, such a deep cut can harm your plants’ health. As a rule, cut no more than one-third off your grass during a single mowing session. Set your mowing height and your calendar accordingly. Kill Clover Plants with Natural HerbicideFor a bigger clover problem, you will need an herbicide. As always, the trick is to find a product that kills weeds but does no harm to the surrounding plants. Some people try mixing vinegar with a drop of dish soap inside a spray bottle. That approach will work, but you may not find it practical for more than spot treatment. A better approach might be scattering corn gluten meal, which releases dipeptides (organic compounds made from two amino acids) into the soil. You can likely buy this product from your local garden center or online from Amazon. Scatter about 20 pounds of meal over 1,000 square feet of your lawn, water it well, and let it work its magic. Fertilize Your Lawn with Ammonium SulfateAmmonium sulfate might sound like a harmful chemical, but it is actually an inorganic salt containing 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur. Widely used as fertilizer for alkaline soils, ammonium sulfate releases nitrogen into the soil while lowering its acidity. This nitrogen-rich fertilizer not only helps grass grow but also controls clover. The bacteria in clover’s roots engage in a process called nitrogen fixation, which is directly related to plant growth. By permeating the soil with nitrogen in ammonium sulfate, you increase its nitrogen levels, limiting the roots’ ability to fixate and grow. You can purchase ammonium sulfate at a hardware or garden store and follow the directions on the container. Alternatively, you can contract with a lawn fertilizer service.
How To Prevent Clover in Your LawnIf you prevent clover from gaining root space in your lawn, you will be well on your way to healthy grass growth. Identify Clover Plants CorrectlyClover comes in a wide variety of species, and the kind of clover you might find in your landscaping is mainly determined by where you live. Perennial CloverIn the United States, most clover falls into the perennials category. Perennial clover can live for two to three years, but it does not reseed well. You can find perennials such as white clover all over the United States. Another perennial, red clover, also grows nationwide but is more common in the northern and midwestern states. Perennial varieties flower throughout the summer and stop growing only when they run out of water. These broadleaf weeds spread by seeding and through nodes that take root as the plant grows. Annual CloverOther, less-common clovers, such as arrowleaf clover and subterranean clover, are annuals. These plants complete their life cycles in a single year. Arrowleaf is most commonly found in the region stretching from East Texas to Georgia, while subterranean clover thrives in the temperate climates of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7. Annual clovers germinate in the fall and continue to live through winter and early spring. They make use of winter rainfall for their hydration needs. Use the Clover’s Lifecycle to Your AdvantageUnless you live in a warm climate, such as one of the states in Zones 8 through 10, your clover likely lies dormant in the winter. You can try putting down a preemergent herbicide, which works from the ground up to kill weeds and their shoots. Apply this product to your lawn in the fall, and it can help prevent several weeds from growing not just clover but also crabgrass and dandelions. However, you may not know clover has taken root in your grass until it crops up in the spring. So while you probably want to use a preemergent herbicide, you will almost certainly need to have a post-emergent weed killer on hand in early spring, too. Post-emergents go on new plants in the spring and generally work from the leaves down to the root systems. Use a Slow-Release FertilizerSome homeowners prefer fast-release fertilizers because they are more affordable than the slow-release options and achieve quick results. These products are not the best choice for a healthy lawn, however. A slow-release fertilizer—like guano, blood meal, cow manure, or earthworm castings—pumps more nitrogen into the soil than a fast-release product. As a result, you get healthier grass and less clover. Maintain a Healthy LawnIf you think you have a clover problem, you might have an unhealthy lawn that needs more than a single treatment. The healthier your turf grass, the fewer weeds you have to deal with. Strong grass growth will crowd out clover, dandelions, and other weeds. Get Help From a Lawn Care ProfessionalLawn care professionals such as TruGreen can analyze your lawn’s health and offer you a customized care plan. For example, the TruNatural lawn care plan uses natural fertilizer and weed-control products to maintain a lush, healthy lawn.
5/5 Get Started 866-817-2287 50% off first application! 3/5 Get Started 3/5 Get Started 978-595-2077 What Causes Clover To Grow in Your LawnA few things that can cause clover to grow in your lawn include the following:
If you experience any of these problems in your lawn, you’ll need to address them before you can get rid of your clover—that is, if you want to get rid of it.
Benefits of CloverHaving clover in your lawn isn’t all bad news. Some people even plant it. Before the 1950s, homeowners loved clover. Because this hardy, drought-tolerant plant can flourish in even the poorest soil, clover provided green ground cover when nothing else would work. Over time, however, pure turf grass became the standard in lawn care. Despite changing tastes, however, clover remains a low-maintenance plant that you don’t need to mow as often as other grasses. It also tolerates harsh growing conditions, leaving your lawn green during dry spells. Plus, clover provides a food source for bees and other pollinators. Many farmers and gardeners plant clover seeds because the plant nourishes and strengthens the soil.
Our RecommendationSome homeowners may benefit from clover patches, especially in shady areas or places with poor drainage. For everyone else, clover needs to be controlled, or else it will take over your lawn. Start with mowing your grass high and fertilizing your yard with ammonium sulfate. If you still have a clover problem, don’t wait to call a professional lawn care service to help you take care of it. 5/5 Get Started 866-817-2287 50% off first application! 3/5 Get Started 3/5 Get Started 978-595-2077
How To Get Rid of Clover Naturally FAQWhy do I have so much clover in my lawn?Clover can grow almost anywhere and thrive in nearly any environment. It can spring up if your soil is unhealthy, your lawn is shady, or your grass is patchy. Once you have fertilized your lawn with a nitrogen-rich compound and coaxed your grass to grow, you should start seeing the clover begin to retreat. How do you get rid of clover in your lawn?A hardy plant, clover is not easily evicted. Some of the best ways to attack it include increasing your mowing height, using corn gluten meal, and investing in an organic weed killer. Long, healthy grass will help crowd out clover’s growth, and a weed killer can take care of the rest. How do you keep clover from coming back?Clover grows where grass fails. Therefore, the best way to keep clover from coming back is to plant new grass. You can either hire a team of professionals to sod your yard or scatter What kills clover but not grass?Corn gluten
It won't harm any living grass or affect grass growth. To get rid of clover with corn gluten, spread 20 pounds of corn gluten meal for every 1,000 square feet of clover-infested lawn. Water after applying, and allow to dry. Corn gluten can be ordered online or bought at any nearby garden centers.
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How to get rid of clover in your grass
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