NewsIf you don’t want clover taking over your lawn, there are several natural and organic ways to get rid of it—no harsh chemicals needed.
Some homeowners like clover in their lawn, but many don’t. If white clover is springing up and creeping out in patches in your yard, there are several ways you can get rid of it. If you’re interested in going green, there’s good news—you don’t have to use harsh chemicals. There are a number of simple ways to get rid of clover in your lawn naturally.
How to Get Rid of Clover Naturally
Here are the best natural methods to get rid of clover on your lawn:
Pull It Out By Hand
For small patches, you can remove the clover manually. Gently loosen the soil with a spade and tug the clover out, roots and all. If you leave any roots behind, the clover will grow back.
Deprive It of Oxygen and Sunlight
You can kill clover by blocking it from all oxygen and sunlight. Take plastic sheeting or a garbage bag and place it over the patch, securing the corners with rocks to make sure it doesn’t fly up. This should get rid of the clover in a few weeks. Be mindful that this approach will also kill any grass that gets under the plastic.
Spray a Vinegar Solution
With this natural home treatment, you may make your own non-toxic weed killer.
- Combine one cup vinegar, one cup water, and one drop dish soap.
- Shake it up and spray it onto any patches of clover. The vinegar will dry out the clover’s leaves, and the dish soap will make sure it sticks.
- To entirely eliminate the clover, you may need to spray for many weeks. Unfortunately, vinegar may harm grass, so use caution while spraying the solution.
How to Prevent Clover in Your Lawn
There are many strategies to prevent clover from growing on your lawn in the first place.
Spread Organic Fertilizer
Using organic, slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer will make your lawn less hospitable to clover. Some homeowners prefer traditional, fast-release fertilizer because it grows grass quickly and costs less. However, using organic fertilizer will lead to healthier growth in the long run. Common organic fertilizers include cow manure, guano, blood meal, bone meal, earthworm castings, and liquid kelp.
Use Corn Meal Gluten
Corn meal gluten releases organic peptides into your soil, preventing the clover’s growth. This won’t work on existing clover, but will prevent new seeds from sprouting—indiscriminately, so be careful not to use this method if you’ve recently reseeded your lawn.
Luckily, this measure won’t harm existing nearby grass. You can purchase corn gluten meal at your local garden store or online.
Mow Grass High
Clover thrives on grass that is less than 3 inches tall. This height strains your grass, making clover spread easier. Cutting your grass short offers it an edge, making it simpler for it to compete with the clover.
What’s Causing Clover in My Lawn?
Clover may appear in your lawn for a variety of causes, the most of which are related to your soil.
- Wrong Soil pH: The ideal soil pH—how alkaline or acidic the soil is—for most lawns is between 6.0 and 7.0. If your lawn’s soil is too acidic, it will be harder for grass to grow, and much easier for clover. Luckily, you can use soil amendments like lime to balance out the pH.
- Poor Nitrogen Levels : Clover thrives in soil with poor nitrogen levels. Grass needs nitrogen in the soil to grow well, while clover can obtain the nitrogen it needs from the air, effectively making its own fertilizer. Your soil may be low in nitrogen because you’ve used too much fast-acting fertilizer. While they promote rapid grass growth, they can ultimately lower your soil quality. Switching to organic fertilizer like manure or corn meal can help you avoid this.
- Compacted soil : Compacted soil prevents your grass from getting the nutrients—including nitrogen—air, and water it needs. Luckily, you can break up compaction with a core or spike aerator.
Why You May Want to Keep Clover in Your Lawn
Although you may dislike the appearance of clover, it may be beneficial to your grass.
- Natural Fertilizer : Clover’s symbiotic relationship with beneficial bacteria allows it to absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere. Ultimately, it can make your lawn greener and more lush. However, this will keep it growing and outcompeting your grass.
- Weed Prevention : Mowing your lawn high will prevent weeds from growing, including clover. But if you like short, neat grass that’s under 3 inches, letting clover flourish is a solid option. Clover’s leaves cast shade over the soil, making it hard for other weeds to take root and grow and compete with your grass.