How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn Naturally

How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn Naturally

Clover is a common lawn weed that many homeowners want to eliminate to maintain a lush, healthy lawn. While synthetic herbicides offer quick results, they often harm the environment, surrounding plants, and beneficial soil microorganisms. Fortunately, several natural and organic approaches can effectively remove clover without these negative side effects. This article covers practical natural methods including manual removal, organic fertilizers, mowing adjustments, and eco-friendly herbicides.

Understanding Clover and Why it Grows

Clover is a low-growing legume known for its trifoliate leaves and small white or pink flowers. It thrives especially in lawns with nitrogen-poor soil, because unlike many grasses, it can fix its own nitrogen through symbiosis with root bacteria. This means clover often invades lawns where grass struggles due to insufficient nitrogen. To discourage clover growth, improving soil fertility and lawn health is key.

Manual Removal: Pull It Out By Hand

For lawns with small patches of clover, the simplest and most natural method is manual removal.

• Use a spade or a garden fork to gently loosen the soil around the clover patch.
• Pull out the clover plants carefully making sure to remove roots entirely.
• Leaving roots behind will allow clover to regrow from the same spot.
• Dispose of pulled clover away from the lawn to prevent reestablishment.

Manual removal is labor-intensive but highly effective for small infestations without harming your grass.

Deprive Clover of Sunlight: Smothering

Clover, like most plants, requires sunlight to survive. You can effectively kill patches of clover by blocking out light and air.

• Identify the clover patch you want to remove.
• Cover it completely with a plastic sheet, tarp, or opaque garbage bag.
• Secure the edges tightly with heavy objects such as bricks or rocks to prevent air and light ingress.
• Leave the covering in place for several weeks until the clover dies.
• Note that this method will also kill any grass under the covering, so reseeding afterward is necessary.

Use Organic Herbicides

Several organic herbicides are available which contain ingredients such as concentrated vinegar, ammoniated soap, or sodium borate. These formulations are effective at killing clover but are typically non-selective, meaning they can harm desirable lawn grass if misapplied.

• Use organic herbicides cautiously, following label directions thoroughly.
• Apply during calm, dry weather to minimize drift onto surrounding plants.
• Repeated applications might be necessary to fully control clover.

While organic herbicides are plant toxins by nature, they are generally safer for the environment than synthetic chemical herbicides.

Adjust Mowing Practices

Mowing height plays a vital role in managing clover because clover thrives in lawns cut too low.

• Set your mower blade to cut grass at a height of at least 3 inches or higher.
• Taller grass shades the soil surface, preventing sunlight from reaching the clover and slowing its growth.
• Higher cuts also promote deeper, stronger grass roots that compete effectively against weeds.

Regular mowing at appropriate heights creates an environment less hospitable to clover and other weeds.

Give Your Lawn an Organic Nitrogen Boost

Since clover flourishes in nitrogen-poor soils by synthesizing its own nitrogen, enriching your soil with organic nitrogen greatly reduces clover’s advantage and ability to spread.

• Apply slow-release, organic nitrogen fertilizers such as:
• Cow manure
• Guano
• Blood meal
• Bone meal
• Earthworm castings
• Liquid kelp
• Use fertilizer in early spring and fall for the best results.
• Organic fertilizers improve soil structure and microbial health in addition to controlling weeds.

Prevent Clover Seeds from Sprouting with Corn Gluten

Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent herbicide that can stop clover seeds from germinating.

• Apply corn gluten at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
• Water the area thoroughly after spreading to activate its herbicidal properties.
• Repeat applications as needed, especially in early spring and late summer.
• Do not use corn gluten if you have recently seeded your lawn, as it will inhibit grass seed germination.

Overseed to Thicken Lawn

After controlling existing clover, overseeding your lawn with high-quality grass seed helps fill bare spots and outcompete future weed infestations.

• Choose grass seed varieties adapted to your climate and soil.
• Overseed in early fall or spring when soil temperatures are ideal for grass seed germination.
• Regular watering and proper mowing will help new grass establish quickly.

Water and Lawn Care Tips

Proper watering practices help maintain healthy turfgrass, which naturally resists clover and other weeds.

• Water deeply once or twice a week rather than frequent shallow watering to encourage strong roots.
• Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, depending on rainfall.
• Avoid excessive watering that promotes weed-friendly conditions.
• Maintain regular fertilization and aeration to promote soil health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is clover always bad for my lawn?

A: Not necessarily. Clover adds nitrogen to the soil naturally and can improve lawn fertility. Some people choose to tolerate or even welcome small amounts of clover for its environmental benefits, such as attracting pollinators.

Q: Can I use vinegar to kill clover?

A: Yes. Household vinegar mixed with water and a drop of dish soap can be sprayed directly on clover leaves to dry them out. But care is needed to avoid spraying surrounding grass, which can also be harmed.

Q: How long does it take to get rid of clover naturally?

A: Natural methods can take several weeks to a few months depending on the severity of the infestation and consistency of treatment.

Q: Will corn gluten harm my grass?

A: Corn gluten is a natural pre-emergent herbicide and will prevent grass seed from germinating. However, it generally does not harm established grass and can help prevent weed seed sprouting.

Q: Can high mowing heights prevent clover?

A: Yes. Keeping your grass at 3 inches or taller helps shade out clover seedlings and supports a healthy lawn that competes against weeds.