Is clover sneaking into your lawn and destroying the green space you worked so hard to create? Chances are, your lawn is suffering from a common yard ailment or well-intentioned lawn care practice that is giving clover secret entry into your grassy kingdom. <\/p>
Let\u2019s investigate why clover has chosen your lawn for its covert operations, so you can root out the double agent and get your lawn back to its clean, green self. <\/p>
Clover (Trifolium<\/em>) is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial distinguished by its shamrock-shaped leaves and pinkish-white flowers. It\u2019s mainly concentrated in the cooler, northern and midwestern regions of the U.S.<\/p> Clover thrives in cool, moist areas, grows in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates heat and drought. It\u2019s also a legume, so it makes its own nitrogen fertilizer. Put simply, clover can be quite a powerful lawn invader. <\/p> Native to the Mediterranean, clover seed traveled to America in the 1600s and quickly became (and remains) a favorite with farmers as a cover crop and livestock forage.<\/p> It became popular to use on lawns across the country until the 1950s when broadleaf herbicides were introduced, and homeowners began to favor tidy turfgrasses. Clover was deemed a weed.<\/p> Today, some homeowners are rediscovering clover\u2019s benefits<\/a> and planting it in their yards. Other homeowners enjoy the tidy green lawn look and dislike the wilder aesthetic of clover. If you prefer a tidy look, we\u2019ll help you discover what\u2019s causing your clover infestation.<\/p> Clover won\u2019t come creeping into a lawn unless it\u2019s got a secret entry point. Let\u2019s investigate how it\u2019s weaseling its way into your lawn. <\/p> When soil is compacted<\/a>, grass roots can\u2019t access the water, air, and nutrients that they need to grow strong. Clover has a thick, interconnected root system that helps it thrive in compacted, poor soil where grass wilts and loses its color. Clover can take over areas of your lawn where grass is thinning or has turned brown.<\/p> The fix:<\/strong> Regularly aerating<\/a> your lawn loosens your soil and gives grass roots room to breathe and nutrients to thrive. With grass growing strong, there won\u2019t be bare spots for clover to infiltrate. Your aeration schedule will depend on your region and soil type, but aerating once a year is best for most homeowners. <\/p> Clover is a legume, so it fixes nitrogen from the air and effectively gives itself a fertilizer boost. Turfgrass doesn\u2019t have that luxury. While grass struggles to survive, clover thrives in areas with low nitrogen. In fact, it\u2019s an indicator plant for low-nitrogen soil. <\/p> The fix:<\/strong> Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer<\/a> to your lawn. Nitrogen fertilizer will fuel your grass in the fight against clover. Grass will grow stronger and more rapidly, while clover won\u2019t experience the benefits (because it already fixes nitrogen for itself). In fact, nitrogen fertilizer can inhibit<\/a> legume growth. <\/p> You can opt for a synthetic, fast-release fertilizer for a quick jolt of grass growth, or you can choose an organic, slow-release fertilizer<\/a> for its long-term benefits.<\/p> Some excellent organic fertilizer options include:<\/p> While synthetic, fast-release fertilizer is a quick fix, it will degrade your soil over time and damage the environment<\/a>. Organic fertilizer<\/a> will take longer to work its magic, but it\u2019ll also give you healthier soil for sustained grass growth.<\/p> Grass grows best at a pH of 6.0 to 7. When your soil is too acidic or too alkaline (basic), clover can enter the picture. <\/p> Though most clover species prefer the 6.0 to 7.0 pH range, they can tolerate more extreme pH levels than grass. Alsike clover<\/a> can grow at a low pH of 5.5, red clover<\/a> can grow at a pH of over 7.0, and strawberry clover<\/a> can grow in soils with a pH from 5.3 to 8.2. <\/p> The fix:<\/strong> Test your lawn\u2019s soil and then make the necessary amendments. To start off, contact your local cooperative extension office<\/a> for information on how to test your soil. <\/p> Once you know your soil\u2019s pH, you can change your soil to make it more hospitable to grass. For acidic soil, add lime or wood ash. For alkaline soil, add compost<\/a> or sulfur<\/a>. <\/p> You\u2019d think mowing low to the ground would knock clover down a peg, but it really just stresses your grass. When you mow higher (3 inches or more), your grass gets the upper hand: Tall grass blocks sunlight from the lower-growing clover, so clover\u2019s stuck without a crucial component for success. <\/p> The fix<\/strong>: Set your mower to the highest deck setting and mow your lawn higher than 3 inches, so your grass stands tall and can outcompete clover. To avoid lawn stress, follow the one-third rule: Remove no more than one-third of the grass height during any one mowing. <\/p> Too little or too much of a good thing is \u2026 Well, you know the phrase, and it certainly applies to watering your lawn. Underwatering your grass will leave it wilted, discolored, and unable to compete with clover (which tolerates drought better than turfgrasses). <\/p> Overwatering leads to grass fungus, disease, shallow roots, and soil compaction. All of these spell trouble for grass and easy access for clover \u2014 and an army of other broadleaf weeds<\/a>. <\/p> The fix<\/strong>: Water your lawn regularly but avoid a shallow, frequent watering schedule. Water your lawn 1-1.5 inches once a week (or break the watering into two times per week). Water should reach 6 to 8 inches down into the soil, giving your roots a healthy soak. That way, grass roots will grow deeply and resist drought. <\/p> Pro Tip:<\/strong> Water<\/a> your grass in the morning before 10 a.m. Avoid watering your grass at night: It\u2019s a recipe for disease. <\/p> Clover thrives in cool, moist environments. Grass? Well, it depends. Based on your region, you need either cool-season grass, warm-season grass, or a mix of the two. If you\u2019re planting the wrong lawn grass for your region, it will struggle to adapt to your climate and may develop diseases, wilt, and die. That gives clover the perfect \u201cin\u201d to your lawn.<\/p> Clover mainly grows in the northern and midwestern parts of the U.S., where cool-season grasses thrive. If your lawn is filled with warm-season grasses like Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Bermudagrass, then clover can easily dominate your yard. <\/p> The fix<\/strong>: Make sure you\u2019re planting the right grass for your region. Check out our comprehensive guide<\/a> to determine what type of grass you have and which grass seeds<\/a> you should plant for growing success. <\/p> If you\u2019re not positive about the best grass for your region, you can consult your cooperative extension service for seeding advice. <\/p> Most turfgrasses love sunlight, and so does clover. Sunlight alone won\u2019t prompt a clover infestation, but when combined with other lawn problems, like compacted soil or over-mowed grass, clover can start creeping into your lawn.<\/p> The fix<\/strong>: Keep your lawn as healthy as can be. If you know that your lawn is predisposed to clover, it\u2019s important to give clover as few reasons to grow as possible. Overseeding<\/a>, fertilization<\/a>, aeration<\/a>, and proper watering can help your lawn stay clover-free. <\/p> Follow our seasonal guide<\/a> to give your lawn the treatments it needs throughout the year. <\/p> Ready to assassinate the clover growing in your yard? Here are eight ways to execute the mission.<\/p> For detailed instructions on each method, check out Lawn Love\u2019s \u201cHow to Get Rid of Clover Naturally\u201d<\/a> and \u201cHow to Get Rid of Clover Without Killing Your Grass.\u201d<\/a> Our articles will walk you through which method is best for your lawn. <\/p> If you can\u2019t stand the clover look, there are many methods to stomp it out. However, clover offers many lawn benefits if you\u2019re willing to give it a chance.<\/p> Clover naturally fixes atmospheric nitrogen for plants to use as fertilizer. It feeds your grass roots so you don\u2019t have to apply harsh synthetic fertilizers, saving you time and money \u2014\u200b\u200b all while helping the planet. <\/p> Clover grows rapidly and densely, crowding out weeds so you don\u2019t have to spring for expensive, potent herbicides that harm the environment<\/a>. Clover is a natural, long-lasting weed control solution that\u2019ll stop ragweed and dandelions<\/a> in their tracks. <\/p> Not only does clover prevent weeds, but it also keeps your soil moist and nutrient-rich, reduces erosion, and insulates the soil, protecting plant roots from sudden temperature fluctuations. It\u2019s an all-around health supplement for your grass. <\/p> If you\u2019d like to watch butterflies, birds, and bees flit about your yard, clover will get your lawn humming with wildlife activity. It\u2019ll also attract beneficial insects that improve the soil and prey on pests, so you won\u2019t have to aerate<\/a> your lawn as often or pay for pesticides.<\/p> Clover is drought-tolerant and requires much less watering than your average turfgrass lawn. Likewise, clover doesn\u2019t require any mowing, though you may want to mow it to about 3 inches to keep your lawn looking tidy.<\/p> Chances are, white clover (Trifolium repens<\/em>) is the intruder. It\u2019s the most common clover species in the U.S. Here\u2019s how to identify the three usual suspects:<\/p> A.D.I.O.S. (Advanced Development In Organic Solutions) is a non-toxic, post-emergent herbicide<\/a> designed to kill broadleaf weeds without harming the environment. It\u2019ll get rid of pesky patches of clover (along with other weeds like ragweed, knotweed, and poison ivy<\/a>) without destroying the surrounding grass. Another plus? It\u2019s safe for lawns with kids and pets.<\/p> You can buy A.D.I.O.S. online or from your local home improvement store. <\/p> Clover takes about a week to germinate, depending on the species and season. It will sprout two to three days later. <\/p> Clover<\/a> can be quite the lawn superspy, but with the right strategy, you can weed out the intruder. If you need an expert agent to plot clover\u2019s demise by herbicide and get your grass back to its green self, call a local lawn care pro<\/a>.<\/p> 7 reasons why clover is invading your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
1. Compacted soil<\/span><\/h3>
2. Low nitrogen levels<\/span><\/h3>
3. Unbalanced soil pH<\/span><\/h3>
4. Mowing too low<\/span><\/h3>
5. Underwatering or overwatering<\/span><\/h3>
6. Wrong grass type<\/span><\/h3>
7. Lots of sunlight<\/span><\/h3>
8 ways to get rid of clover<\/span><\/h2>
Why you may want clover to stay<\/span><\/h2>
1. Clover naturally fertilizes your grass. <\/span><\/h3>
2. Clover prevents the real weeds. <\/span><\/h3>
3. Clover is a living mulch<\/a>.<\/span><\/h3>
4. Clover attracts beautiful pollinators. <\/span><\/h3>
5. Clover decreases watering and mowing needs. <\/span><\/h3>
FAQ about clover<\/span><\/h2>
1. What type of clover<\/a> is invading my lawn? <\/span><\/h3>
2. What is A.D.I.O.S.? <\/span><\/h3>
3. How fast does clover grow?<\/span><\/h3>
Clearing out the clover<\/span><\/h2>