Clover, the common name for over 300 members of the legume family, are small flowering plants with a very distinctive three-leaf shape (four if you're lucky!). Though often associated with good luck, there are several reasons why you might not want this little guy growing in your garden.
Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the world; if you're someone who's particularly house-proud, or in this case garden-proud, you might want a clover-free lawn purely for aesthetic purposes. Clover has a very distinctive shape and sticks out like a sore thumb, and can very easily upset the balance of your lawn.
Although not poisonous or dangerous, clover will grow fresh every spring season, spreading rapidly and choking out your grass. Clover grows where grass is weak, and slowly pushes it out until it's invaded every area it can. Although technically harmless, clover is ruthless and can take over your entire lawn if left to its own devices.
Do you have clover on your lawn? Not sure what steps to take to remove it? Reach out to Lawn & Weed Expert today for a free lawn survey, and our first-class team will help you evaluate your lawn and plot the best course of action.
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Why Does Clover Grow?
So, why is clover growing in your lawn? One possible explanation is that the conditions in your garden could be inadvertently encouraging clover to grow. Possible causes include…
Poor Nitrogen Levels
Clover thrives in low-nitrogen soil. Grass relies on nitrogen in the soil, whereas clover can obtain all the nitrogen in needs from the air. Over-fertilising your lawn can actually damage your soil and mess up its nitrogen levels, so be cautious of how regularly you fertilise.
Compacted Soil
If you have too much foot traffic on your lawn or have been rolling it too frequently, you may have pressed your soil too much. Heavily-compacted soil creates a poor environment for your grass, which in turn leaves the grass vulnerable to a clover invasion. Luckily, this is a pretty easy fix - just aerate your lawn.
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How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn (Without Killing Your Grass)
Unfortunately, the process of removing clover from your lawn is a long and arduous one. There are a number of different ways to go about it; the best choice for you will depend on the results you're looking to achieve and what kind of products you're willing to using on your lawn.
Chemical Solutions
There are special sprays that can be used to specifically target clover. It will take repeated applications, and like most clover treatments, you may need to be patient and wait a while to see results.
Removal by Hand
If you only have a small patch of clover growing on your lawn, it might be feasible for you to pull it out by hand. Loosen the soil around the clover, then pull it out. Make sure you remove all the roots as well - any roots left behind will grow back into more clover plants.
Natural Solutions
If you're not comfortable using harsh chemicals on your lawn, there are organic solutions available. These remedies are a lot less aggressive than the chemical solutions, which is good if you want to avoid intense chemicals. However, since these solutions are a lot less aggressive, they'll take longer than the chemicals.
The most popular organic solution for clover is to help strengthen your grass, as clover grows where grass is weak. This natural solution is less invasive than chemicals and encourages your garden to naturally push out the clover, but this can take quite a long time. Adding fertiliser to your grass every so often and mowing your lawn correctly are among the steps you can take to encourage stronger grass growth.
Call in the Experts
Clover is a particularly stubborn plant that can grow back easily if it's not properly removed. Removing clover can be tricky, so in most instances, it's best to call in the professionals. A trained specialist will be able to ensure that your clover problem is well and truly under control.
Do you have a weed problem in your garden? When it comes to stubborn and fast-growing weeds like clover, it's usually best to leave treatment to the professionals. Click the link down below to find out more about the weed control services we offer here at Lawn & Weed Expert.
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READ MORE: How to Kill Weeds Without Killing Your Grass
