Clover is a common herb that infests untreated or malnourished lawns. Although it is a harmless plant, some people prefer to get rid of it and have their lawn entirely grass. To remove it, apply commercial products or natural remedies in your garden. You can also prevent them from returning by tending your lawn so it stays healthy and tidy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Commercial Products
Step 1. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer
Clover does not like high nitrogen environments, so with a fertilizer rich in that substance you will eliminate it. Look for a product that is high in nitrogen at garden stores or on the internet. Spray it directly on the seedlings, following the instructions on the package.
- If your lawn has only small clover-infested areas, choose a slow-release organic fertilizer.
- If, on the other hand, the areas with the clover are larger, choose a quick-release fertilizer, so as to get rid of the unwanted plant immediately.
- You can apply the fertilizer once a month or by following the instructions on the package. Applying the product every spring is a good preventative measure to prevent clover from appearing.
Step 2. Treat the clover seedlings with a topical herbicide
Look for a product that contains 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and Dicamba, substances that stop the growth of clovers and cause them to die. Apply it directly to unwanted plants, making sure you don't hit the others.
- Apply herbicide to the clovers once a month or until they die.
- You can purchase the herbicide in gardening stores or on the internet.
Step 3. Use ammonia on the clovers to burn them
This substance burns and kills clovers. Use only lawn-specific ammonia sulfate when the soil is wet after a rainy day. You can also water the lawn with the pump before applying ammonia if you prefer not to wait for the rain. Place it directly on the clovers, so as not to burn other parts of the garden.
- Apply ammonia once a month or until the clovers die off.
- Buy lawn care ammonia at garden stores or on the internet.
Method 2 of 3: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Spray the clovers with a soap and vinegar solution
Put a tablespoon of white wine vinegar in a spray bottle with a tablespoon of dish soap and 180 ml of water. Spray the solution on unwanted plants and you will get rid of them with this topical treatment.
Do not spray the solution on the surrounding plants or grass, as this could damage them
Step 2. Use corn gluten on clovers
This substance is a natural herbicide that you can use to remove unwanted clovers. Look for it in powder, so you can spread it around your lawn. Uses 10 kg of gluten per 100 m2 of lawn.
- Water the corn gluten once applied and let it dry for 2-3 days so it can get rid of the clovers.
- You can repeat the application after 4-6 weeks if the clover has not been completely eliminated.
Step 3. Place a plastic sheet over the clovers to make them die
Place a plastic bag or tarp over the clovers and secure the ends with rocks. Do not remove it for a couple of weeks, so that the plants do not get light and oxygen. Make sure the cover stays on all the time for it to be effective.
This option is useful if large sections of your lawn are occupied by clovers and it is easy to cover them with a plastic sheet
Method 3 of 3: Keep the Lawn Free of Clovers
Step 1. Fertilize your lawn in spring to prevent clover from appearing
Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to care for your lawn and prevent weeds from growing. This practice also helps the grass grow healthier and more resistant to weeds and pests.
Step 2. Pull out the small sections of clovers with a pitchfork, so they don't spread
If you notice that clovers have started appearing in some places on your lawn, weed them out with a pitchfork. Make sure you remove the roots of the plants so they can't grow back.
Step 3. Keep the grass tall so it grows more than the clovers
Set the mower 7-10cm high so the grass isn't too low when you cut it. You shouldn't go below 2.5-4cm when mowing your lawn. Keeping the grass taller helps block the light that feeds clovers and other weeds, preventing them from growing.
Step 4. Water the lawn 1-2 times a week to prevent clover growth
Make sure your lawn stays moist and well hydrated so weeds like clover don't grow. Irrigate your lawn with at least 2.5cm of water once or twice a week early in the morning to keep it healthy. A dry lawn is not receiving enough nutrients and is not in a healthy enough state to counteract the growth of unwanted plants such as clover.
