Best Professional Lawn Care: Trugreen
If youre looking for a professional lawn care company to help remove or prevent clover and other weeds, TruGreen is one of the best options. This company offers comprehensive lawn, plant, and tree care. It uses natural fertilizers that can kill off and prevent clover from taking over your property, and its other products and services will further beautify your grass even beyond weed removal.
TruGreen is a massive national lawn care company that services 48 states and Washington, D.C. Homeowners in just about every corner of the country will have access to the services, except for Hawaii and Alaska. The plans are plentiful and varied, with affordable options for maximizing lawn health, garden appearance, pest prevention, and more. Browse TruGreens customizable plans to learn more about the company and how it can serve you.
- Large variety of plan options tailored to homeowners wants and needs
- All services are backed and performed by TruExpert Certified Specialists
- Services provided in 49 states
our rating9.5
Benefits Of Keeping Clover
- Natural Fertilizer: Clover acts as a natural fertilizer for your lawn, as it extracts nitrogen from the air and ultimately deposits it in the soil. Since grass thrives in nitrogen-rich soil, leaving clover on your property is a natural way to keep your lawn looking beautiful and rich without having to add fertilizer yourself.
- Weed Prevention: Just as clover quickly overtakes your grass, its a fierce competitor for other weeds as well. It creates a canopy that casts shade over the soil, depriving all other plants including other weeds of sunlight. Many homeowners find clover is more appealing than crabgrass and other common weeds, so leaving clover might limit weed growth and help you maintain a decent-looking lawn.
- Drought tolerant: Clover is a hearty weed that is quite drought tolerant. While grass can die off after a prolonged lack of precipitation, clover can help maintain a green lawn even in moderately dry conditions.
Should I Leave The Clover In My Lawn
These days, as people become more aware of the environmental and health hazards of herbicides, its becoming more common to cultivate more natural, diverse, and sustainable lawns.
Keeping clover in your lawn is actually a significant step towards creating a more sustainable lawn, and could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
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How To Kill Clover Using Herbicides
Some homeowners opt to use chemical herbicides to kill actively growing weeds or prevent clover from growing. Chemical control methods can be a very effective weed killer when used properly, so it warrants talking about them quickly.
There are two different approaches to killing clover, differing in timing.
How To Get Rid Of Clover In Your Yard 2021
How To Get Rid Of Clover In Your Yard. After getting rid of the clover weed, the next thing to do is to give prevention. Alternately, you can use a hand fork by inserting the prongs below the roots, and then forcing the plant out of the soil.
Applied to a lawn, corn gluten meal dries out seedlings, preventing the growth of clover and other plants. As with all weed removal, the best results come from removing red clover early, while its.
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Fertilizer Rich In Nitrogen
It is often the lack of nitrogen that damages the lawn and promotes the emergence of clover. The application of such a fertilizer therefore eliminates this weed. Choose the type of fertilizer to use based on the condition of the clover in your lawn. If there are only small spaces covered by clover, choose an organic fertilizer. If not, apply a quick-release fertilizer to kill the weed immediately. Spray the fertilizer directly on the clover once a month, preferably in the spring, or according to the directions on the product label.
Quick tip: Clover is a plant that naturally produces nitrogen so you can get rid of it and use it as fertilizer for your lawn!
Is Clover The Enemy Of Lawn Maintenance
Clover was a standard component of all lawns until relatively recently. In fact, due to its beneficial properties, clover was deliberately included lawn seed mixes.
Homeowners and green keepers didnt consider clover a problem until the 1950s. So what changed?
After World War II, the same companies that had been developing chemical weapons, turned their attention to pesticides. The formulation of herbicides made it possible to cultivate monocultures.
Suddenly, clover was marketed as the enemy, along with dandelions, bindweed, and other broad-leaved flowering plants.
However, it was precisely the companies that created and sold pesticides and herbicides, that were on the front lines of the new war against clover. The trend for unsustainable monocultures in gardens and agriculture was created through clever marketing by agrochemical corporations.
So, to wrap up that slightly depressing spiel, clover is not an enemy of a healthy lawn. But there are some pros and cons to weigh up when deciding how much of it to include in your yard. Lets look at them in more detail.
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Will Clover Take Over Grass
If your lawn is in bad shape, plus you have poor soil, clover can easily take over. However, if your lawn is in good condition, it is unlikely that clover will become a major issue.
On the other hand, clover will also out-compete less desirable weeds such as crabgrass, which is one reason that it was historically a default part of lawn seed mixes. Using similar combinations today can help you curb the spread of other weeds.
Mow Grass Higher Than 3 Inches
Finally, you can opt to raise the mowing height on your mower and leave your grass a bit higher than normal. Clover needs abundant sunlight to thrive, so leaving your grass three or more inches tall at all times will help prevent clover from taking root and spreading.
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Kill The Clover Organically
There is a great organic weed killer on the market that kills weeds in your lawn, without killing the grass. If you spray this organic weed killer on Clover, it will weaken the Clover without harming the surrounding lawn, giving your grass the advantage it needs to outcompete the Clover. Weed Beater Fe is the name of the product and we’ve had great success using it to eliminate Clover and help grass thrive.
Get Rid Of Clover Without Destroying Lawn
There are various ways to get rid of clover without destroying your lawn completely. If you are looking for a totally natural, organic method without the use of chemicals when hand pulling the weeds is an option. This is likely to cause temporary disruption to the aesthetics of the grass as youll be left with bald patches that will require sowing new grass seed and waiting for it to grow.
On the other hand, using selective herbicides can effectively rid your lawn of clover without destroying your lawn at all. Often, these methods can even enhance the health and vibrancy of grass.
It is important to avoid non-selective varieties of herbicide as these will not only destroy unwanted clover, but also everything else it comes into contact with including your previous lawn and flower beds, veg patches, borders, and even trees and shrubs.
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Can Clover Replace Turf
Weve talked about how more people are actively encouraging a mix of clover and grasses in their lawns due to its beneficial properties. In fact, more and more lawn seed mixes are starting to include clover again which is excellent news.
But did you know that there is such thing as an entirely clover lawn?
Interest in clover lawns is increasing due to concerns for pollinator numbers, and as people recognize the unsustainable nature of monocultures like grass lawns.
Grass lawns require constant inputs of water, synthetic chemical fertilizers and herbicides, all of which are expensive and harmful for your pocket, the environment, and human health.
Grass lawns serve little to no purpose other than looking good to some people , and filling the pockets of agrochemical companies.
Grass lawns dont support the local ecosystem or help the pollinator situation in any way, and keeping them green all year round is a huge waste of precious drinking water.
Clover lawns on the other hand, tick all of the environmental and sustainability boxes that grass lawns dont.
They dont require watering, or fertilizing. They dont require any herbicides as clover usually outcompetes other weeds. And, crucially, they provide food for pollinators.
Clover lawns consist of low-growing species of clover such as the White clover or Micro Clover . Micro clover doesnt flower much, so its a way to surpass bees if they present a hazard for you.
How To Get Rid Of Clover Naturally
Todays Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions.The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.
Many homeowners want to know how to get rid of patches of clover in their yards, but the elimination process can be time-consuming, and some of the herbicides contain chemicals that can damage the grass.
Instead of using a chemical-laden herbicide, there are several natural methods you can try, or you can hire a professional lawn care company to help prevent and manage the weeds in your lawn.
The reviews team analyzed lawn care services across the United States and feel confident in recommending TruGreen because of its affordable prices, positive customer reviews and comprehensive service options, including natural options.
If you want to receive a free quote for your lawn, call TruGreen at or fill out this simple form.
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How To Remove Clover From Lawn
The most effective way to remove clover from your lawn is to use a herbicide that contains trifluralin or dicamba. These products will kill clover as well as many other common weeds. Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully and only apply them when the weather is cool and there is no chance of rain.
How To Prevent Clover In Your Lawn
Whether youve managed to remove the existing clover on your lawn and want to stop it from coming back, or you just want to prevent it from appearing altogether, there are several things you can do. Below are the safest and most effective methods for avoiding clover and keeping it from returning to your lawn.
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Limit The Airflow And The Sunlight In The Area
Clover, like all plants, needs air and sunlight to grow, so if you deprive it of these two essential elements, the plant will soon die off on its own.
This can be achieved by covering the patch of clover with a garbage bag or other plastic sheeting and use some weights like stones on the edges to keep it in place.
This should eliminate the clover in a matter of weeks. But keep in mind that any other plants such as grass under the plastic will be killed as well.
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Get Rid Of Creeping Charlie
Also known as ground ivy, creeping Charlie can wreak havoc throughout your lawn and garden, forming a dense mat and smothering other plants. Treat the invasive yard nuisance with a broadleaf herbicide, making several applications over the course of several weeks. Another solution is to properly mulch garden beds.
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What Is A Clover
When we say Clover we are not talking about a single species, but about an entire genus called Trifolium. It includes about 300 annual and perennial species.
In the broader classification, the genus Trifolium belongs to the pea family . As we will discover shortly, that gives clover some superpowers.
Side note: Wood sorrels are often mistaken for clovers hence they are also known by the common name false shamrock. Although they look alike, they belong to a completely different plant family and are more commonly garden weeds than lawn weeds.
Still, all of that doesnt say much about the purpose of clover in our lawns, right?
Smother The Entire Lawn And Start Over Again
If you have a smaller lawn, and its completely overrun with clover, moss, and weeds, you may be tempted to start over again.
To do this, its best to avoid using herbicides to kill everything on your lawn, as this can ruin the fertility of the soil. Instead, smother your grass using a large tarpaulin, and then reseed it, or lay new sod.
You will need to wait about three weeks for everything on your lawn to die, and decompose enough to plant new grass.
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Grow Healthy Thick Grass
The easiest method is simple and one youll likely be doing anyway have a healthy lawn. Healthier lawns will consume more nutrients and be tougher against weeds.
For clover, in particular, the weed thrives in lawns that dont have enough nitrogen due to its ability to produce its own. Low nitrogen will also make your yard less healthy. The two factors in combination make your yard weaker and clover stronger, giving clover a considerable boost in growth.
To counter this, monitor the nitrogen levels in your lawn frequently. Maintaining the correct levels is the best way to stop clover from ever arriving.
How To Rid Your Lawn Of Clover: The Definitive Guide
- Date: August 22, 2022
- Time to read: 4 min.
On the one hand, its a pretty flower that makes your yard look colorful and lush. Clover can be difficult to get rid of, but with the right tools and techniques, you can eradicate it for good! In this definitive guide, we will teach you how to identify clover and how to get rid of it using herbicides, mechanical removal methods, and cultural controls.
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Poor Soil Nutrient Levels
Clover thrives in soil with poor nutrient levels, especially nitrogen. Grass needs nitrogen to be able to grow well, but clover, as mentioned previously, can obtain nitrogen from the air and essentially make its own fertilizer.
As mentioned previously, organic lawn fertilizer can help boost these nitrogen levels and encourage healthy grass growth while discouraging clover growth.
Killing Actively Growing Clover With Post Emergent Herbicides
Post-emergent synthetic herbicides are one of the most effective clover control methods. This news might not be favorable for homeowners who prefer a more natural approach to lawn care, but unfortunately, its the truth.
They work to destroy actively growing weeds by either attacking the foliage or making their way through the plants vascular system to destroy the roots. Selective herbicides are carefully formulated to control specific types of weeds or weed categories , so they wont harm your grass when applied correctly.
The following 4 broad-leaved herbicides are highly recommended on Amazon if you are looking for a highly effective post-emergent product for controlling clover. They are all selective formulas formulated to target actively growing clovers and other broadleaf weeds.
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How To Get Rid Of Clover And Keep Your Lawn Pristine
You have a beautiful lawn, but youve noticed lately that that magnificent green expanse is interrupted by clumps of sprouting clover. You tried mowing, but the small, white-flowered weeds keep coming backand bringing bees with them.
Clover, or trefoil, is one of the most common weeds found on poorly maintained and undernourished lawns.
Clover is a tough weed to control because of its small size and numerous leaves that make it harder to hit with granular weed killers, says Phil Dwyer, turf grass scientist for Scotts Miracle-Gro.
Tired of fighting this weed? Here are some ways to get rid of it for good, so your lawn can look picture-perfect.
Let Your Grass Grow Higher
A lot of homeowners think that a healthy lawn needs close-cut grass.
I too personally prefer the soft, neat appearance of a short lawn, but I dont prefer having to root out all the weeds that this choice invites.
Its true: A lawn cut short is more susceptible to weeds, and that includes clover.
Clover is a tough plant that can quickly take over a lawn if the grass is cut too short.
The simplest way to get rid of clover is to let the grass grow a little taller.
Grass, as a plant, thrives when it has matured to overpower other ground-covering plants in the area. If you cut it too short, you give the clover opportunity.
When you keep your grass on the longer side, it crowds out the shorter clover plants and shades their petals so they cant photosynthesize as well.
No sun, no photosynthesis! The clover wont die immediately, but it will have a harder time spreading and growing, and will eventually perish as the grass thrives.
If youre having trouble with clover in your grass, give the grass extra time to grow before mowing, and then raise the cutting height on your lawnmower.
It is definitely the most elegant way to rid your yard of this weed while also taking the very least amount of effort.
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