Is clover taking over your backyard? While there are plenty of benefits of having clover in your yard, it can be frustrating for homeowners who are striving for an even, grassy lawn.
Clover can be challenging to get rid of, but you shouldn’t have to destroy your lawn to win the war on clover. There are 7 ways to get your clover problem under control without risking the health of your beautiful green grass.
In this article you will find:
- How to get rid of clover
- 1. Rip it out
- 2. Vinegar mixture
- How to make the mixture:
- 3. Nitrogen boost
- 4. Say A.D.I.O.S. with an herbicide
- 5. Adjust your mowing height
- 6. Corn gluten
- 7. Smother it
- What is clover?
- FAQ
How to get rid of clover
1. Rip it out
If your yard has a few small patches of clover, your best bet might be to simply pull it out of the ground manually. Grab a spade and use it to loosen the soil. Then, pull the clover out, making sure to remove all of the roots. The clover will quickly return if any roots remain. This is an easy DIY and natural way to kill clover without killing your grass.
2. Vinegar mixture
For a natural remedy, make a vinegar-based mixture to kill off the clover. This method can take a couple of weeks of frequent spraying but is a more environmentally friendly option compared to chemical-based sprays or broadleaf weed herbicides.
How to make the mixture:
Ingredients
- One cup of vinegar
- One cup of water
- One drop of dish soap
- Spray bottle
Directions
- Combine the vinegar, water, and dish soap in the spray bottle. Shake.
- Locate the clover and spray the patches, being careful not to spray the surrounding grass.
- Spray regularly for a couple of weeks. In time, the vinegar will dry out the clover leaves and kill the plant. The dish soap helps the mixture stick to the clover.
- Wait a couple of weeks and reseed with grass seed.
3. Nitrogen boost
Clover thrives in soil with low levels of nitrogen. A simple strategy to get rid of it would be to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the clover patches. This will deter it from growing and spreading.
A quick and affordable option is to use a fast-release fertilizer, which is especially recommended if you have a lot of clover to get rid of. Or, you can use an organic fertilizer such as:
- Cow manure
- Bone meal
- Liquid kelp
- Blood meal
- Guano
- Earthworm castings
Organic fertilizer is better for the environment but is slower to kill the clover. Fast-release fertilizer will decrease soil quality over time. You don’t need to cover your entire yard, you could just apply it to the problem clover areas. Fast-release fertilizer and organic fertilizer can both be found at most garden and home-improvement stores.
4. Say A.D.I.O.S. with an herbicide
If you really don’t want to risk damaging any of the grass surrounding the clover patches, it might be a good idea to use an herbicide. A.D.I.O.S. (Advanced Development In Organic Solutions) is an organic herbicide that gets rid of clover and provides weed control without the risk of damaging any surrounding grass growth.
A.D.I.O.S. is non-toxic and safe to use even if you have pets and children who play in the yard. It’s also safe to use on properties near livestock farms and bodies of water. This organic weed killer also works to get rid of dandelion, yellow mustard, ground ivy, and other pesky weeds. It also might help you fight back against or even kill weeds such as ragweed, poison ivy, buckthorn, and similar invasive weeds.
A.D.I.O.S. can be ordered online or bought in-person at your local garden center or home-improvement store.
5. Adjust your mowing height
Clover prefers to grow in areas where the grass is less than 3 inches high. Set your mower to 3 inches or higher and let your grass grow out a bit to deter clover from growing and spreading. If you mow it at a higher setting, your grass will have a better chance of outcompeting the clover.
6. Corn gluten
Corn gluten can prevent clover from growing and spreading. It releases organic peptides, which deter clover seeds from sprouting. Don’t apply this if you recently seeded your grass, because it will prevent the grass seeds from sprouting as well. 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.
7. Smother it
Clover can’t survive without air and sunlight. If you have large patches of clover, you can get rid of it manually by smothering it. Locate the clover and place a garbage bag or plastic sheet over the patch, making sure to cover all of the clover plants and not too much of the surrounding grass. Use bricks or large rocks to keep the edges of the covering secured to the ground. In a few weeks, remove the plastic sheeting and reseed the area with grass seeds.
This is not recommended for small or irregular patches of clover, because you will risk killing the healthy grass surrounding the clover.
What is clover?
Clover is a member of the pea family and is classified as a legume. It originated in Europe and it made its way to the U.S. in the late 1600s. Today, clover can be grown to use as forage or hay for wildlife or in food plots to attract turkey, deer, rabbits, and other wildlife. There are more than 300 species to choose from.
Clover has a deep root system, which makes it hard to get rid of. It is ideal as a grass alternative in clover-based yards because the deep roots help the clover stay green year-round in northern climates. Clover often has three leaves and can have pink or white flowers.
FAQ
1. How do I identify clover?
The three most common types of clover you’d find in your yard are white clover, red clover, and strawberry clover.
—White clover (Trifolium repens): White clover is a low-growing, hardy clover species, and is the most common type of clover found in lawns. White clover grows quickly and spreads fast. Its florets range in color from white to pink.
—Red clover (Trifolium pratense): Red clover is taller and bushier than white clover. Its florets range from rose to magenta.
—Strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum): Strawberry clover is similar to white clover but has white or pink flowers that are smaller than the white clover florets.
2. Why is clover taking over my backyard?
Clover growth could be a sign that your lawn needs some extra TLC.
Make sure you’re watering your lawn properly. Thirsty grass invites broadleaf weeds and stresses out your lawn.
If you are suddenly having problems with clover plants growing in your yard, check to see if your lawn is suffering from one of the following:
—Low nitrogen levels: Clover thrives in nitrogen-poor soil, while grass needs nitrogen-rich soil to survive. Use cornmeal or organic fertilizer to help boost nitrogen levels without sacrificing the quality of your soil.
—Compacted soil: Similarly, compacted soil does not make for ideal grass-growing conditions, but clover can tolerate the lack of nutrients. If you think your soil is compacted, you can loosen it by aerating.
—Unbalanced soil pH: Most lawns prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Red clover can grow in soil with a pH higher than 7, and strawberry clover can grow in a range of pH levels, from 5.3 – 8.2. Get your soil tested and make the necessary adjustments to give your grass a fighting chance.
3. Should you get rid of clover?
Clover isn’t always a problem. There are many benefits of keeping or even planting clover in your yard. Clover helps reduce erosion, fixes nitrogen levels in the soil, is low-maintenance, helps the environment, attracts pollinators, and more. With clover, you can have a green lawn year-round. If you don’t mind having more bees buzzing around, it might be worth keeping the clover and mixing it in with your regular grass seed.
Need a hand saying A.D.I.O.S. to your clover? Contact a local lawn care professional to help you get back to your luscious green lawn.
Main Photo Credit: Couleur | Pixabay
Sav Maive
Sav Maive is a writer and director based in San Antonio. Sav is a recent graduate from the University of Virginia and is a loving cat and plant mom.
Posts by Sav Maive
I'm Sav Maive, a writer and director based in San Antonio, and I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in lawn care and gardening. Having recently graduated from the University of Virginia, my expertise extends to various aspects of maintaining a healthy and vibrant lawn. As a plant enthusiast and a loving cat mom, I understand the importance of creating a beautiful outdoor space. Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about dealing with clover in your backyard.
1. What is Clover? Clover is a member of the pea family classified as a legume. Originating in Europe and introduced to the U.S. in the late 1600s, clover has more than 300 species. It is often grown for forage or hay for wildlife and can be used in food plots to attract various animals. Clovers have deep root systems, making them resilient and difficult to eliminate. They are ideal as a grass alternative in yards, providing year-round greenery in northern climates, and typically have three leaves with pink or white flowers.
2. How to Get Rid of Clover: 7 Methods The article suggests seven methods to control clover without harming your lawn:
a. Rip it out: Manual removal using a spade, ensuring all roots are removed to prevent regrowth.
b. Vinegar Mixture: A natural remedy involving a mixture of vinegar, water, and dish soap sprayed onto clover patches over a few weeks.
c. Nitrogen Boost: Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizer to deter clover growth, with options such as fast-release or organic fertilizers.
d. A.D.I.O.S. Herbicide: Using an organic herbicide called A.D.I.O.S. to eliminate clover without harming surrounding grass, safe for pets and children.
e. Adjust Mowing Height: Setting the mower to 3 inches or higher to discourage clover growth, allowing grass to outcompete it.
f. Corn Gluten: Applying corn gluten to prevent clover seeds from sprouting without harming existing grass.
g. Smothering: Covering clover patches with a garbage bag or plastic sheet to deprive them of air and sunlight, followed by reseeding.
3. FAQ: Understanding Clover a. Identifying Clover: Descriptions of three common types: white clover, red clover, and strawberry clover.
b. Reasons for Clover Growth: Potential issues such as low nitrogen levels, compacted soil, and unbalanced soil pH contributing to clover invasion.
c. Should You Get Rid of Clover? Highlighting the benefits of clover, including erosion reduction, nitrogen fixing, low maintenance, environmental benefits, and attracting pollinators.
In conclusion, these comprehensive methods and information provide homeowners with effective strategies to manage clover in their yards while considering the broader ecological impact and benefits of clover in lawn care. If you have any questions or need further assistance in saying A.D.I.O.S. to your clover, feel free to contact a local lawn care professional for expert guidance.
