Everyone wants that magazine or HGTV-level lawn. The picturesque visual appeal of a perfectly manicured lawn is something we all strive for. After months upon months of work, you finally achieve your goal only to find…wait, what’s that? What is that odd little plant throughout your lawn? If you’re seeing what we’re seeing, it’s clover and it can be a real eyesore for the Gainesville homeowner. Today, we want to walk you through how to get rid of clover in your lawn through some practical steps you can take.
What is clover?
Let’s start by first answering the question you’re probably asking right now: what is clover? Unfortunately, it’s not a sign that a leprechaun will be visiting your home soon to provide you with good luck.
Instead, it’s a relatively hearty plant species that has ecological benefits in many cases. However, when it comes to visual appeal, it can detract from the look you’re going for with your yard.
Note that in some areas, especially if the homeowner lives in the country, clover might be used as a form of ground cover intentionally. But for most, it’s an eyesore. That’s why we’re focused today on how to get rid of clover on a lawn. Regardless of how it got there, let’s look at some ways to excise it from your beautiful yard.
How to get rid of clover in a lawn using manual methods
We thought we’d start with what we’ve dubbed manual methods. Some of these are perhaps less than ideal for your overall lawn health, but we thought we’d mention them anyway since they’re recommendations you’ll find elsewhere on the internet.
The first manual method is to simply pull it out by hand. This might work if you have just a single patch of clover. There might be some damage to the nearby grass, but in a limited capacity, this could be a way to get rid of clover in your lawn and start over.
Your mowing height can help as well. Keeping your lawn a bit taller can discourage clover growth, as it tends to prefer shorter blades.
Some claim to have success with a vinegar-water combination, selectively applying this mixture to areas of clover growth. The thought process is that the acidity of the vinegar can discourage clover growth, but we want to caution you. This can affect soil health for grass regrowth.
Another cautionary method is boiling water. Some DIYers have had success using boiling water on patches of clover. But, as with the above method, this runs the risk of killing the nearby grass. Be prepared to replant some of it around the clover patch.
Chemical methods — but with a few warnings
These are all non-chemical methods. There are other ways to get rid of clover that are a bit more intensive. One of those, however, will run the risk of some of our local regulations.
What are we referring to? Fertilizer. This is a good way to get nitrogen back into your soil to promote grass growth over clover. However, remember this: some communities ban the use of fertilizer during the summer months. Although state laws seem to be headed toward a more relaxed approach, you will want to be sure you check with your local jurisdiction before moving forward.
Some herbicides can be effective at eliminating clover. If you’re wondering how to get rid of clover from your lawn without running afoul of your local laws, this might be an alternative. Just be aware that, like some of the manual methods we mentioned, this can also kill the surrounding grass.
Preventative methods to get rid of clover
In our manual section to get rid of clover, we mentioned lawn height. This is not only a good best practice for your routine mowing, but it’s also a preventative method for how to get rid of clover from your lawn. There are some other things you can do as well to achieve this goal.
One of those is regular lawn maintenance. Remember, caring for your yard means doing more than just mowing. It involves aeration, removing thatch, watering, and so on. These types of actions can help keep clover infestations at bay in your lawn.
You can also employ a method known as overseeding. Thick grass can “compete” with the clover in your lawn. Over time, this process will eventually help your grass thrive and the clover go away.
Have patience
We wanted to dial in on that last statement for a moment. Did you notice how some of the different ideas on how to get rid of clover seemed to be focused on a quick fix? If so, and if you noted our caution during those sections, you may have picked up on an underlying message.
How to get rid of clover in your lawn starts with a word few of us have: patience. You need to be patient when it comes to getting rid of this. Think of it like a diet for losing weight: the pounds didn’t happen overnight. Likewise, it will take time to get back down to where you want to be with your health.
The analogy is true here too. It takes time to have that picture-perfect lawn, and that includes how to get rid of clover. Have patience and don’t rush: this is truly the secret to long-term success with how to get rid of clover from your lawn.
Letting the professionals handle it
Another secret we like to highlight is the way that a professional lawn care company can take care of this for you. Let’s face it: you’re busy. This process to get rid of clover will take time, and that’s something few of us have. A professional lawn care firm can take this burden off of your shoulders for you.
Contact us for a free quote
Would you like to learn more about how we can help you get rid of clover from your lawn? Or do you need general routine lawn maintenance? Either way, we can help! Contact our team today for a free consultation for our services by clicking here. We’ll be in touch ASAP to learn more about your yard and how we can serve you with our world-class lawn care services.
Here are some great resources to help your lawn look its best:
How & When to Aerate Lawn: A Comprehensive Guide to Timing Your Lawn Aeration
Pawsitively Green: Tips and Tricks to Shield Your Lawn from Dog Urine Damage
When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn: A Watering Schedule Guide