NFT: Lawn care (specifically clover)

since I am in virtually the same boat. Previous owner told me the same thing. I have 4 acres so it’s a lot of grass and I ain’t spraying. I’ve started noticed the flaws a lot more and I think a lot of it is just getting used to the property. I notice the flaws more than I notice the beauty.

As far as clover, I say let it grow. I occasionally try to weed out the broad leaf plantain. The wild strawberry and ground ivy are what really piss me off. Clover is actually really good for soil (nitrogen fixer) and can be used as a great bumper crop for fruit trees and vegetables. It’s green and not unattractive in my opinion. Unless you’re trying to emulate Augusta I say let it grow.

Only if you decide it is.

as it’s roots are like spiderwebs and it will feats on any water it can. If it’s manageable I’d take care of it, it will only get worse.

I’ve had a lot of clover in the past and it used to bug me but then I read up on it and there’s really nothing wrong with it. I also keep everything natural and organic. My neighbor owns the garden center in town and convinced me years ago to go organic. His lawn is perfect, and he doesn’t really do much to it now a days. He said you need to get the Ph right, so get the soil tested. Then it’s corn meal in the spring, early and late application along with fertilize and over seeding. Mulch cut with Honda once a week, in ground sprinks run in the early am, after dawn to keep it all wet. My neighbor said it takes three or four years to get it all just right. This is year three and it’s very good. One thing I’ve noticed this season is a lot of strawberry grass (?). Not sure what that’s all about.

weed killer that says it kills clover if you want to remove it.

If not, then leave it.

I think it looks terrible, but as others have said, there are benefits it provides, and some people will be sure to point out that clover is not a weed.

Well, either is dandelion, but I don't like the way it looks all over my grass, so I treat my lawn to remove them both.

In comment 14474714 UConn4523 said:

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as it’s roots are like spiderwebs and it will feats on any water it can. If it’s manageable I’d take care of it, it will only get worse.

What specifically can I do? Apply a turf builder in the early fall & again in the spring?

You can do a granular (should be easier than spraying the whole lawn) and apply it in early spring and Fall and it should all but eliminate clover and other broadleaf weeds. I like Barricade DG, but I have Bermuda, you'd have to ensure it works well with zoysia.

In comment 14474736 Lionhart28 said:

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You can do a granular (should be easier than spraying the whole lawn) and apply it in early spring and Fall and it should all but eliminate clover and other broadleaf weeds. I like Barricade DG, but I have Bermuda, you'd have to ensure it works well with zoysia.

This. Right now there’s nothing you can do but grow your grass high. This fall you should start on killing it and get the rest next spring. Moving forward you should at least put down pre emergent yearly and fertilize a few times per year. It’s all fairly cheap anyway and doesn’t take too long.

It's much better for the environment.

In comment 14474736 Lionhart28 said:

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You can do a granular (should be easier than spraying the whole lawn) and apply it in early spring and Fall and it should all but eliminate clover and other broadleaf weeds. I like Barricade DG, but I have Bermuda, you'd have to ensure it works well with zoysia.

The clover typical in most lawns is a perennial, so pre-emergents won’t do anything to the existing clover.

I actually bought clover seed and used it when I expanded my yard. It's great for choking out other weeds and it is a nitrogen fixer, so it made it easier for the grass I planted to take over.

Surprised it is beating out zyosia though. That stuff is like weed incarnate. Might want to get your soil tested. Clover might handle unbalanced levels better than your zyosia. Just a thought.

But if your profile is accurate we are in the same town (I live near vets park). I'd assume that is part of the issue then. Zyosia is dormant for a long time up here in NJ. It probably doesnt have enough time to fully choke out the clover. If you really want to kill it you'd need a weed killer that works on clover.

In comment 14474751 Scyber said:

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But if your profile is accurate we are in the same town (I live near vets park). I'd assume that is part of the issue then. Zyosia is dormant for a long time up here in NJ. It probably doesnt have enough time to fully choke out the clover. If you really want to kill it you'd need a weed killer that works on clover.

Very cool you are also in Hamilton! Yes, the zoysia doesn’t come back until May, probably isn’t best suited for the climate here.

and it suffocates grass. It will only spread and get worse. I got rid of all of it in one season at my previous house, just follow the steps and don’t just stop at killing them, you need to build thick, healthy turf to help keep it and weeds from growing.

Mine got out of hand over a couple years and I decided to use Scott’s last year. It cleared 95% of it with the first shot.

Very important to read the directions. It has to be spread on a wet lawn, left on for 24 hours, then watered in. It worked amazing.

I went back to organic this year and my lawn looks great with almost no clover.

Personally I think clover is a huge eyesore.

Link - ( New Window )

Oh and now is a really good time to do it. This is when I put it down last year and within 2-3 weeks it was killed off.

In comment 14474959 Danny Kanell said:

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Mine got out of hand over a couple years and I decided to use Scott’s last year. It cleared 95% of it with the first shot. Very important to read the directions. It has to be spread on a wet lawn, left on for 24 hours, then watered in. It worked amazing. I went back to organic this year and my lawn looks great with almost no clover. Personally I think clover is a huge eyesore. Link - ( New Window )

This looks exactly what I need. Thank you!

But only in my backyard that is not really visible. It’s also where my kids play and their swingset is set up so I don’t really want to spray anything.

I think I’m just going to leave it and hope it doesn’t spread to the visible section.

I have no problem with it.

SpeedZone

https://www.amazon.com/PBI-Gordon-652400-Killer-20-Ounce/dp/B001PCRKDC/ref=asc_df_B001PCRKDC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193139379506&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9902460078940083408&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004538&hvtargid=pla-309085183344&psc=1

What has everyone’s experience been with TrueGreen and other similar companies? What do they cost for a smaller yard-little under 2000 square feet.

Any other basic tips to get the lawn as green as possible and remove brown spots.

In comment 14475293 Giant John said:

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I have no problem with it.

It’s not so much the clover, it’s the white buds that they produce. They look awful and attract yellow jacks. It’s an issue with kids playing in the yard and worrying about getting stung. Well it was for me at least.

In comment 14475546 Danny Kanell said:

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In comment 14475293 Giant John said: Quote: I have no problem with it. It’s not so much the clover, it’s the white buds that they produce. They look awful and attract yellow jacks. It’s an issue with kids playing in the yard and worrying about getting stung. Well it was for me at least.

The flowers do provide a food source for honeybees, or bumblebees, both of which provide a necessary function. However during spring and summer yellow jackets are primarily carnivores so I doubt you see many of them on the flowers.

they are honeybees

service and have 5 dogs. The oldest is 16 never had a problem. They also spray for ticks and fleas. Lawn is free of all weeds and clover.

You mentioned how you use organic fertilizer now but initially used the Scott’s Weed & Feed. My question is this - if I went right to organic now, would it work?

I’m looking specifically at this which I’ve linked. Do you think this could give the grass needed strength to stop and overtake the clover?
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 14476066 Sean said:

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You mentioned how you use organic fertilizer now but initially used the Scott’s Weed & Feed. My question is this - if I went right to organic now, would it work? I’m looking specifically at this which I’ve linked. Do you think this could give the grass needed strength to stop and overtake the clover? Link - ( New Window )

It’s too late to fertilize. The grass is about to go into summer dormancy, and fertilizing now could actually hurt it. Wait until September.

In comment 14476066 Sean said:

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You mentioned how you use organic fertilizer now but initially used the Scott’s Weed & Feed. My question is this - if I went right to organic now, would it work? I’m looking specifically at this which I’ve linked. Do you think this could give the grass needed strength to stop and overtake the clover? Link - ( New Window )

That would work to fertilize the lawn now but won’t do anything for the clover. The only thing that’s ever worked for me is the Scotts clover and dandelion.

In comment 14476079 Jim in Fairfax said:

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In comment 14476066 Sean said: Quote: You mentioned how you use organic fertilizer now but initially used the Scott’s Weed & Feed. My question is this - if I went right to organic now, would it work? I’m looking specifically at this which I’ve linked. Do you think this could give the grass needed strength to stop and overtake the clover? Link - ( New Window ) It’s too late to fertilize. The grass is about to go into summer dormancy, and fertilizing now could actually hurt it. Wait until September.

This isn’t correct. Especially with all the rain we have had.

Has the clover come back for you since?

In comment 14476242 Sean said:

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Has the clover come back for you since?

A few patches but not enough to even put the clover killer down again this year