How to Get Rid of Clover in Your Lawn

Clover is a common and resilient weed. Despite often being viewed as a symbol of luck, you probably want to get rid of it in your lawn. Removing clover in your lawn can be a challenge as it quickly gains ground and chokes weaker plants and grass. We explore various methods to identify, effectively remove, and prevent clover, allowing your lawn to thrive without the nuisance of this weed.

What is clover, exactly?

Clover is an annual or perennial plant that you can find virtually everywhere – in roadside verges, meadows, at the base of hedges, and likely in your own lawn. Due to its rich protein content, clover serves as suitable fodder for livestock. However, if you didn’t intentionally plant it, discovering clover in your lawn may not be a positive sign. It suggests that the soil lacks essential nutrients, primarily nitrogen, allowing weeds like clover to establish and thrive.

How to recognise the type of clover in your lawn

There are more than two hundred clover varieties, with the most recognisable feature being the trifoliate leaves. Typically, these leaves are grouped in threes, green, and oval-shaped.

Classified as a legume, belonging to the pea family, the clover plant produces seed pods. However, it’s essential to note that not all legumes are edible, so exercise caution if considering consumption.

Clover features tubular flowers that cluster in “balls.” While the petals are commonly white or pink, they can also appear in hues like red, purple, or yellow.

Which varieties of clover are most commonly found in the UK?

Red clover

Red clover is a perennial plant. This means that if you don’t control it, the clover will stay in the ground for years. You can recognise this type of clover by the red and pink flowers that stand upright. Red clover flowers from May to October.

White clover

This creeping plant spreads across your lawn rapidly and — left to its own devices — can take over your lawn completely.  Again, it flowers from May to October and is the most likely variety to produce those lucky four-leaf clovers. 

Jumping clover

Jumping clover is known by various names, including Spring Clover and Horned Wood Sorrel.  The leaves are reddish-brown, and the little flowers are bright yellow, like a buttercup. These plants often grow in the gaps between your patio tiles. Little seeds pop out if you touch the leaves, giving the plant its rapid spread. 

What damage does clover do to my lawn?

Clover in the lawn indicates a nitrogen deficiency in the soil. Once it finds a place in the lawn, it will spread quickly. It will displace the grass in your lawn.

Removing clover from the lawn

How do you approach this without immediately resorting to chemical pesticides? Although these substances can eliminate weeds, they may also damage the soil and have harmful effects on the environment.

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Manual removal of clover is an option, but it’s also a time-consuming task. If you want to effectively get rid of clover, it’s crucial to remove not only the above-ground parts but also the roots. This can be achieved by scarifying your lawn. Use a rake or a scarifying machine on the area with clover, exposing the roots, and remove all the roots from the soil.

Do you have clover in flower beds? You can remove it by hoeing the soil. For clover between patio tiles, a joint scraper or, for example, a weed burner is the most effective approach.

Controlling clover in the lawn

Of course, you can remove clover from your lawn, but the best way to control clover is to identify the root cause of the problem. Why is there clover growing in your lawn? If the soil is healthy and well-maintained, there will be little to no weed growth.

Preventing clover in the lawn

How can you prevent clover in the lawn? Restore your beautiful lawn with these 5 handy tips!

Tip #1: Provide the right nutrition

A healthy lawn needs nourishment! Grass draws its nutrients from the soil, so it’s crucial to keep the soil in top condition. Enhance soil health by fertilising. It’s ideal to fertilise your lawn 3 to 4 times a year: in spring, early summer, late summer, and as a final touch in autumn.

Tip #2: Mow the lawn regularly

Regular mowing strengthens your lawn. Sunlight and oxygen reach the soil, promoting the growth of new grass and reducing the likelihood of weeds like clover. It’s better to mow slightly more often than too infrequently, maintaining an ideal length of 3 cm.

Tip #3: Water

In addition to nutrition, grass requires sufficient water. Regular watering is key. During dry periods, your lawn needs extra water, but avoid excessive watering, as it may reduce the grass’s resistance. A proper watering strategy strengthens the root system, preventing diseases and pests.

Tip #4: Scarify

Scarifying cuts away moss and other weeds, including clover, allowing the grass to breathe. This creates an airy top layer, facilitating better grass growth and promoting a healthier lawn.

Tip #5: Sow new grass

After scarifying, you may notice bare patches. The grass’s resistance is lower in these areas. Quickly sow new grass seed to prevent weeds from taking hold.

FAQ’s

Ready to get started?

You’ve now got all the information you need to tackle the clover in your lawn!

For more insightful tips on lawn care, weed prevention, and gardening, you’ve come to the right place. Need personalised advice or have specific questions? Feel free to drop a comment or get in touch.

Happy gardening!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!