While it may be known as a lucky charm, you may not consider yourself so lucky to have clover infest your lawn. Clover is a common weed in Australia, typically germinating in winter and thriving and spreading during spring when the weather is sunny and starts warming up. Some people actually choose to add clover to their lawn due to its ability to fertilise the lawn by adding nitrogen, softness to walk on and dark green appearance. However, if you prefer the appearance of a clean, crisp, clover-free lawn, here are some tips on how to remove it.
How to Identify Clover
Before removing clover from your lawn, you need to first identify it. Clover is easy to identify with its opal shaped leaves and white circular markings. It commonly grows in 3 leaflets (four if you’re lucky!) and produces either a white or pink flower depending on which species it is.
How to Get Rid of Clover
Clover can sometimes be tricky to eradicate as it reseeds itself annually and can continue to reappear and spread easily. Preventing clover is the best way to maintain your ideal lawn. This can be achieved by having a thick and healthy lawn, such as Sir Walter Buffalo, which crowds out weeds such as clover and prevents them from taking hold.
Treating Clover in Your Lawn
- Mow high - leave your lawn over 3 inches tall when mowing your lawn to give your grass more room to grow. Having longer grass means it can shade the clover and prevent it from growing, rather than stressing your grass by cutting it too low. Clover has no issues with being mowed short and will likely continue to thrive, which is not what you want.
- Remove it by hand - clover can be removed by digging its roots out of the soil with a gardening tool or fork. It should be carefully removed to ensure it doesn’t re-propagate in your lawn.
- Organic Treatment – There are a number of natural ways to kill clover in your lawn, such as spraying it with a white vinegar solution.
If these solutions don’t work, or you would like to knock out your clover as quickly as possible, we recommend using All Purpose Weed Control. Not just effective in killing clover, this weed killer can help eliminate most common weeds. It’s ready-to-use bottle comes with an easy to use, clip on hose on attachment will make application easier than ever
Clover and Nitrogen
Clover thrives in lawns that lack sufficient levels of nitrogen. Therefore, increasing the fertiliser on your lawn can help to ensure optimum nitrogen levels. If you’re unsure about your soil’s nitrogen levels, you can perform a pH soil test to determine if nitrogen is deficient. We recommend using what’s known as a high NPK fertiliser, which contains high levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Lawn Solutions Premium Lawn Fertiliser is an effective solution to supercharge your lawn and eradicate your clover infestation. Always read the label for the best advice for the rate you should apply and be sure to water-in well.
While it can be tricky to conquer the clover in your lawn, with a little bit of maintenance you can have your lawn looking picture-perfect once again. The best approach is to attack the clover before it attacks your lawn. Spring is the best time to do this, before this pesky weed spreads and dominates your lawn. Implement these strategies now to enjoy a clover-free lawn this summer.
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