Clover infesting lawn - when to kill it?
jb989
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (12)
bpgreen
16 years agojaansu
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Clover in lawn..when to kill
Comments (5)In your other thread on the same question, I think it was pointed out that you need to wait until you've mowed the lawn 3 or 4 times before applying weed killer to it. I would also suggest that you check the directions on the bag to see whether they say anything about temperatures. And keep in mind that even if you have spread Scotts II in the past without a problem, you were spreading that on an established lawn. This time, you have a very immature lawn. I think your best approach is to hand pull until you've mowed at least 3 times. The Scotts site says that you should not apply when the temperatures are above 90. If it were my lawn, I wouldn't apply until the temperature dropped below 85....See MoreFescue killed off by Japanese Clover
Comments (1)I feel for you Merv. Can't help with the weeds but your property sounds quite similar to mine although much larger. The rains sure haven't helped. I gave up, waiting for March to arrive now. You'll find a soil test is pretty important. I've only done the DIY kit sold at Lowes but it gives me a general idea where I'm at. Aerating should be considered. This stuff we have in North Ga is tough for roots to gain any traction to deeper depths. After I areated 2400 sf last month I seeded and used some good quality topsoil which I hope finds it's way into the holes. From my understanding good topsoil promotes micro organism populations that eventually will loosen that hard clay. I plan to repeat the procedure next spring. I guess that's not the answer you wanted considering the cost involved. In any event, best wishes. Ellijay resident...See MoreSerious weeds infestation with fruit trees in lawn. What to do?
Comments (1)5 or 10 minutes of water probably is not enough for a lawn, especially one in full sun. Most all of the studies I have seen talk about a lawn getting an inch of water per week, depending on the temperature, drainage, etc. and here that takes about an hour to deliver. Then comes the question what does a good, reliable soil test say about your soils pH and nutrient supply? How much organic matter is in your soil? What kind of life is in that soil? How well does that soil drain? Get the soil into a good, healthy condition and a good lawn that is more "weed" free will follow. Spraying poisons around to attempt to control unwanted plant growth, "weeds" is a waste of time, energy, and money....See MoreSafest weed killer for lawns (clover and other weeds)
Comments (97)Sorry. This will be a long one. It always is with me. (blushing) I'm with the OP on this one. Even if no one but me ever saw my lawn, I would want it to be dark, rich green GRASS...and nothing else. (I'm known for wanting everything to be beautiful. I'm also a bit of a home body, and enjoy spending time in my yard. Many guests have remarked that, no matter where they look (on my property), there's always something beautiful. I'm always taken aback by those comments, since while that was MY goal, I never expected others to pick up on it.) Case in point about the intentional act of putting down grass, and not other (lower maintenance) plants. I own a small, remote island. I made the decision to create a lawn area and, once you include the slow-moving barge fees (3 days to get from its port to the island), labour, equipment, and materials, that lawn cost me $14,000. That obviously begs the question, why, on earth, would anyone spend a nickel putting in expensive, high-maintenance grass, only to let it be taken over by clover and other weeds??? My husband and I recently purchased a 19th century farmhouse in need of roof-to-foundation renovation. As such, I inherited a lawn that is EASILY 70% weeds, including clover so thoroughly interwoven, it would be impossible to pull by hand. I pride myself on my beautiful lawns and gardens, and can spend/have sent hours, each day, ensuring everything is healthy and how I want it. At my last home, I developed a bit of a reputation for being out weeding my lawn by hand for hours, plus how awesome my expansive lawn was. My point is, I want my lawn and gardens to be a certain way; plant the plants I want; pull the plants I don't want; unafraid to put-in the effort to achieve that. I prefer not to use any kinds of "chemicals", other than the ammonia and mild soap I include in my homemade fertilizer recipe. (My last home was a beach house. So, that only reinforced my desire to go chemical-free.) But this new-to-me house is demoralizing me...practically to the point of tears, much of it because of the state of the (laughing) "landscaping". Sure, mowing can cut off 60% of the sea of clover flowers that make my lawn look white (or dying...can't decide which). But there are still lower flowers that seem to sprout up to full height within the next 24hrs after a mow. These flowers last from late spring to fall. In short, I'm plagued by clover flowers throughout the entire season I want my lawn to look great. It's just such a shame the previous owners didn't nip the clover in the bud, when each plant was jut a little, round cluster. I love catching them early, knowing I've stopped additional infiltration. But I'm helpless, overall. Looks like I'll have to replace the entire lawn; start from scratch; do what the previous owners SHOULD have done, and pulled weeds when I first see them. I'm not really buying the whole "benefits of clover" thing, amidst a grass lawn. If I wanted a clover lawn, I would plant a clover lawn. Putting down and maintaining grass is an expense in time and resources. Clover is virtually free (since it shows up on the wind), and is seemingly mantenance-free. Since most sod and grass seed are sold with some guarantee of being weed- (and clover-) free, I just don't believe that most people who spend the money and effort to put in a grass lawn, are okay with losing any percentage of it to other, invasive, undesirable plants. I kind of liken it to suggesting that a Ferrari owner would be okay with someone switching it with a Cavalier, and just saying, 'They both get me from point A to point B, so I don't mind.' I can fully envision putting in other kinds of ground cover, and have considered it at past properties. Not being my first rodeo, I already have substantial plans to reduce the amount of lawn area, and increase planting beds. But much of this current property begs for a beautiful, thick, dark green lawn...of grass. No dandelions. No clover, but particularly no clover flowers. (I'd be more okay with clover, if not for the flowers.) The desperation was so great, I did something I thought I'd never do, and tried the iron-based WEED-B-GONE product. (Harsh, chemical herbicides have been banned in my area for years...resulting in public parks being taken over by weeds, for the most part. It's such a shame, in the sense that a healthy, well-maintained lawn is not only beautiful, but fantastic underfoot.) That is really my philosophy, beyond the aesthetic. A lawn should be cool, soft, and luxurious under bare feet. Weeds, even overgrown grass, also tend to make barefoot walking less than a joy. So far, I haven't found a way to get rid of mats of clover. The WEED-B-GONE did nothing I could notice. I'm at my rope's end on ths matter, and likely will have to pull up the entire lawn, to put down new, almost-weed-free sod, where I can physically manage pulling individual weeds as they appear. I guess I'd plead with people to pull unwanted clover plants when they're small... if not for yourself, then for the next property owner. Sure, it means time, every day, or every few days, combing the lawn, looking for weeds. Yes, it can be back-breaking and time-consuming. But that grass lawn didn't get there by accident. A grass lawn is intentional....See MoreUser
16 years agobpgreen
16 years agojaansu
16 years agobpgreen
16 years agopaulinct
16 years agojb989
16 years agobpgreen
16 years agogryd
16 years agoajer16
16 years ago
Related Stories
LANDSCAPE DESIGN7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives
Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants
Full StoryGROUND COVERSGive Your Lawn a Taste of the Wild
Consider the joys of an irregularly trimmed meadow lawn: It’s ecofriendly, visually interesting and still good for romping
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESWeed War: When and How to Use Chemical Herbicides
Before you spray, arm yourself with knowledge about which weed killers — natural or synthetic — are right for your yard
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES5 Great Grasses for a New Lawn
Learn about maintenance, wear tolerance, ideal climate and more for these top turf choices to pick the right one for you
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Fix Bare and Yellow Lawn Spots
Restore your turf’s good looks by reseeding unsightly patches
Full StoryBEFORE AND AFTERSSee 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns
Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives
Full StorySAVING WATERHouzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?
Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it
Full StoryEARTH DAYThe Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn
Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden
New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance
Full StoryFRONT YARD IDEASBefore and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden
How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind
Full Story
joe_in_maine