Clover Control: How To Get Rid of Clover

Clover is one of the most recognizable broadleaf weeds on lawns and turf. Clover is a perennial weed that grows low to the ground and is very persistent where established.

Even though it is a weed, clover is actually a helpful addition to your lawn. It contains certain characteristics (like nitrogen) that keep your lawn healthy. If you're keeping a nice uniform lawn, you may hate seeing it and want it gone.

Clover prefers nutrient-rich, moist soils. Dry and shady sites are not ideal conditions for growth. The notable characteristic of clover is its rounded three-leaf structure. Many different species of clover exist, and they can produce heads or dense spikes of small red, purple, white, or yellow flowers.

If you have Clover on your lawn and want to get rid of it, our DIY guide can help. The guide below has been put together by lawn care experts and will show you the best clover killers to use to properly treat clover so that this plant no longer dominates your yard.

Identification

It is common to misidentify clover for other broadleaf weeds, like dollarweed. The good news is that it is easy to spot clover when you know what to look for. Below, we will share traits to help you to identify clover properly.

• Clover stems consist of three small leaves (or leaflets) that are petal-shaped, have a white "v" or crescent on each leaf, and are about half an inch long.
• Several common species of clover exist, perhaps the most common being white clover. Other common clover species that grow in larger spaces include red clover, which can grow up to 20 inches and has narrow leaves, and sweet clover, which grows tall stalks of white or yellow flowers.
• White clover can grow in patches as tall as 8 inches and has three or 4 round leaves.
• White clover produces small flowerheads that can be either white or light pink. The small blooms create a spherical cluster resembling a small ball of white petals.

Use the description above and the images to help you identify clover on your lawn. If you are having trouble, contact us, and we will assist you in properly identifying your lawn weed and offer suggestions.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with clover, you can proceed to inspection. During this phase, you will pinpoint the areas where the clover is growing and observe the conducive conditions helping the clover to thrive. This will help you in determining where to focus your treatment applications.

Where to Inspect

Clover often grows in lawns that are under-fertilized or not fertilized properly. The weed is a big absorber of nitrogen, and if your lawn is low in nitrogen, it is basically an invitation for clover to take over. Testing your soil is important to see what your turf soil is lacking so you can properly feed it and make your lawn nutrient-rich so clover cannot compete.

What To Look For

Clover is easy to spot on a lawn and usually blooms between early spring and late fall. Be on the lookout for its broad leaves and white flowerheads. This perennial broadleaf weed is also found growing in fields, ditches, and other low-maintenance areas. Clover grows low to the ground and has a shallow root system.

Treatment

Before handling any chemicals, ensure you have the right personal protective equipment for safety (glasses, gloves, mask). Timing is crucial when treating clover. It's important to attack the clover when it has finished blooming because the plant is the most susceptible to herbicide applications.

Step 1: Measure and Mix 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide

Calculate the square footage of the treatment area to determine how much 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide you will need. To find the square footage, measure the treatment areas' length and width in feet, then multiply them together (length X width = square footage).

One gallon of this product can treat between 2 to 4 acres of land. 

For pastures and rangelands, do not apply more than 8 pints (4 lbs.) per acre per year. For ornamental turfs, it is limited to 2 applications per year with a maximum of 3.16 pints of product per acre per application. The application rates will vary for the area being treated. Refer to the label for specific application rates. For small spot treatments, use between 0.72 to 1.1 fl. oz. per 1,000 square feet in a gallon of water.

After finding the square footage of the treatment area, add the appropriate amount of 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide to a handheld pump sprayer or hose-end sprayer, then mix with the measured amount of water. 

2,4-D will target broadleaf weeds, leaving most other grasses unharmed. However, some southern grasses, like St. Augustine, are more susceptible to injury, so double-check the label to make sure your turfgrass won't be affected.

Noticeable results may take 1 to 3 weeks for the product to reach its maximum effects, depending on the broadleaf weed variety and environmental conditions.

Step 2: Apply Herbicide to the Clover

Lightly spray the 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide mixture where the clover is established, spraying just on the top of the leaf surface, being careful of wind drift. Use a super fine mist with a handheld sprayer on a fan nozzle setting to get an even coating and, thus, better control. The best time to spray is in the early spring. Spray the weeds to wet but not to the point of runoff.

Since clover is a persistent weed, repeated application may be necessary about six weeks later to treat it. If it hasn't already, clover should definitely die out soon thereafter.

Prevention

After removing the clover, take some preventative measures to prevent this weed from returning. 

• A pre-emergent may be a good preventative measure to keep clover from returning, especially if the problem is annual. A pre-emergent with the active ingredient Isoxaben has shown to be effective against clover, so we suggest Isoxaben 75 WG. It's also one of our cheaper pre-emergents for Clover. To control white clover, mix the Isoxaben 75 WG in a handpump sprayer at a rate of 0.25 oz. per 1,000 sq. ft. To control yellow sweet clover, use 0.38 oz. per 1,000 sq. ft. Broadcast the solution over your turf area, making sure to use a fan spray setting to evenly treat the area.
• Aside from this, Clover can be prevented from proper fertilization and mowing.
• Maintain a good fertilization schedule so your lawn gets adequate nitrogen in the soil.
• Mow your lawn at the proper height, 3 to 4 inches. Taller grass blades ensure less sunlight reaches clover sprouts and promote stronger root growth.

Key Takeaways

What is Clover?

• Clover is a persistent weed that is a very common invader of lawns. Its distinctive appearance, with its three-petal-shaped leaves, makes it stand out.
• The most common clover species on residential lawns is white clover, but other species, such as sweet clover and red clover, can also appear in certain areas.

How To Get Rid of Clover

• Clover is best controlled by TopShot Herbicide because it is selective and won't harm your desired turf. For best results, apply TopShot and a surfactant like Alligare 90 Wetting Agent.
• Alternatively, to treat red and sweet clover in particular, use 2,4-D Amine Selective weed killer.

Preventing Clover Reinfestation

• Prevent clover with a pre-emergent application of Isoxaben WG and maintain a fertilization schedule to promote a thick, dense, healthy grass yard.