How To Remove Clover From a Lawn

Clover is a common sight in many lawns. While some people appreciate its benefits, others find it unsightly and difficult to manage. Whether you want to completely eliminate clover or simply keep it in check, this guide will help you understand how to effectively remove it and prevent it from returning.

Identifying Clover

Before tackling clover, it’s important to know exactly what you’re dealing with. Clover typically has three small leaflets forming a single leaf, though the rare four-leaf clover can sometimes be found. The leaves often have a white or greenish “watermark” pattern and can vary in color from green to shades of purple or red. Clover produces small, round white or pink flowers that grow in clusters and bloom from late spring to early fall.

Clover spreads quickly and grows low to the ground, often creating dense patches in lawns. It propagates through both seeds and stolons—creeping stems that root along the ground. While similar to other common weeds like dandelions, clover has shallower roots, making it easier to pull out by hand.

Why Does Clover Grow in Lawns?

Clover tends to thrive in lawns that have certain deficiencies, particularly in compacted soil and nitrogen. Unlike grass, clover can tolerate compacted soil conditions, which makes it more challenging to control in lawns where the soil is not well-aerated. Additionally, clover is a legume, meaning it can fix its own nitrogen from the air, giving it a competitive advantage in lawns that are deficient in this key nutrient.

Other factors that contribute to clover growth include poor soil quality, thin or bare spots in the lawn, and the spread of weed seeds through wind, animals, or mulch. Clover is opportunistic and can quickly fill in areas where grass is struggling.

Effective Methods to Get Rid of Clover

Now that you know why clover grows in your lawn, let’s explore the most effective ways to remove it.

Herbicides

Herbicides are one of the most effective ways to target clover. There are two types of herbicides you can use:

Selective Herbicides: These are formulated to kill broadleaf weeds, such as clover, without damaging your grass. Look for herbicides with active ingredients like triclopyr, dicamba, MCPP, 2,4-D, fluroxypyr, or quinclorac.
Organic Options: If you prefer to avoid chemicals, you can try organic alternatives like chelated iron (FeHEDTA), which kills clover by causing iron toxicity. This method may require multiple applications. Another option is A.D.I.O.S., which uses salt to dehydrate and kill clover. Be careful, though—salt can damage your soil and other plants.

Manual Removal (Hand-Pulling)

For small patches of clover, hand-pulling can be a simple and effective solution. To ensure success, it’s important to remove the entire root system so the clover doesn’t grow back.

Best Technique: Start by moistening the soil to make the clover easier to pull. You can do this after rain or by watering the area. Use a spade or hand-weeding tool to loosen the soil around the clover. Pull the clover gently but firmly, making sure to remove all the roots.

Smothering Clover

If you’re dealing with larger areas of clover, you can try smothering it by blocking out sunlight and air. This method is ideal for large infestations but will kill all vegetation in the covered area.

How to Smother Clover: Cover the clover patch with a garbage bag, opaque plastic sheeting, or cardboard. Secure the edges with bricks or rocks to ensure no light gets through. Leave the covering in place for several weeks until the clover is completely dead. Afterward, you’ll need to reseed or resod the area to restore your grass.

Preventing Clover From Coming Back

Once you’ve removed clover from your lawn, you’ll want to take steps to ensure it doesn’t return. The best way to prevent clover is to maintain a healthy, well-maintained lawn that crowds out weeds naturally. Here are some key tips:

Address Underlying Issues: Clover thrives in compacted soil and low-nitrogen conditions. Aerate your lawn to reduce compaction, and apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to help your grass grow stronger.
Fertilize Regularly: Grass needs regular feeding to stay healthy. Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote thick, lush growth that will outcompete clover.
Mow High: Set your mower to a height of about 3 inches. Taller grass shades the soil, making it harder for clover seeds to germinate.
Overseed Thin Areas: Clover can take hold in bare patches, so make sure to overseed any thin spots in your lawn with grass seed.
Use a Pre-Emergent Herbicide: Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring or fall can help prevent clover seeds from germinating. For an organic option, try corn gluten meal, which acts as a natural weed inhibitor.
Practice Good Lawn Care: Aerate, dethatch, and water your lawn appropriately to create conditions that favor grass over clover.

To Clover, or Not to Clover?

Before you decide to remove clover, it’s worth considering that clover can actually benefit your lawn. Clover has the ability to fix nitrogen, which reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. It also prevents soil erosion, attracts pollinators, and can crowd out other, more troublesome weeds. Some homeowners appreciate these benefits and choose to keep clover as part of a low-maintenance, eco-friendly lawn.

Whether you love it or hate it, clover’s presence is not necessarily a bad thing. If you prefer a uniform, clover-free lawn, the methods described above will help you achieve that goal. But if you’re looking for a more natural lawn that benefits the environment, you might want to embrace clover as a valuable part of your landscape.

Conclusion

Removing clover from your lawn requires a combination of immediate action and long-term maintenance. By understanding why clover thrives and using the right techniques to eliminate it, you can enjoy a healthier, more attractive lawn. Whether you choose to remove clover or let it stay, taking care of your lawn’s overall health is key to preventing clover and other weeds from taking over.