Tip 1: fight manually with perseverance
In order to remove the widespread white clover from the lawn, hobby gardeners with a naturally cultivated garden opt for manual control. Since white clover is less stubborn than its fellow species, there are good chances of success. In the early stage of attack by acid or Horn clover The following methods can also be considered to reliably remove the weeds:
- With the Weed cutter Grasp the clover together with the taproot, shake it gently and remove it from the lawn
- Larger areas of infection with the spade lift deeply out of the earth
- The resulting gaps by reseeding or turf pieces repair
also read
- What helps against moss and clover in the lawn?
- The right fertilizer for or against clover in the garden
- Fighting weeds in the lawn - the 10 best tips
Plucking the clover from the lawn by hand only works sporadically. All Clover species have a deep taproot that they use to anchor themselves in the ground. As long as only a tiny remnant of this root remains in the ground, the scourge of the hobby gardener will continue to sprout.
How to recognize clover in the lawn correctly
The most important types of clover that can colonize your lawn differ both visually and in their ecological system, in some cases considerably. Since the most effective methods of control are based on knowledge of the respective species of clover, the following table lists outstanding features for reliable identification:
| Recognize the 3 most important types of clover | White clover | Wood sorrel | Horn clover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 5-20 cm | 5-15 cm | 10-30 cm |
| Heyday | May until October | April to June | June to August |
| Flower color | White | white with purple veins | yellow |
| Flower shape | spherical | Cup shape | doldy |
| Pointer plant for soil quality | low in nutrients, calcareous | Low in lime, sour | low nitrogen |
Tip 2: Clover with foil to cut off the air
In order to remove clover from the lawn manually, a not inconsiderable effort is required, combined with a good dose of perseverance. Clover is less sweaty by stopping photosynthesis in the weeds. This is achieved with a black film that does not let a single ray of light through. How to do it:
- Cover the lawn area populated with clover with weed foil cover
- Weigh down the edges of the film with sand and stones or fix them in the ground using plastic anchors
- Leave the opaque covering in place for 4 to 6 weeks
When you remove the sheeting, both the clover and the lawn will have retreated. In contrast to weeds, however, the blades of grass recover when they are supplied with a special ration of fertilizer. To remove clover, however, this method is only recommended for small patches of lawn.
Tip 3: Mechanically tackle clover in the lawn
If clover has spread invasively over the entire lawn area, hobby gardeners with manual methods are at a loss. In order to effectively remove the weeds, mechanical support from the is required Scarifier.(€ 98.00 at Amazon *) in the April and September are the best dates for this type of weed control. How to do it right:
- Keep the lawn as short as possible on a dry, overcast day mowing
- Use the scarifier to work the grass surface in a checkerboard pattern
- Within the next 7-14 days the green fertilize and water repeatedly
Scarifiers are special devices that scratch the ground 3-5 millimeters deep and comb out the clover and moss. What remains are the stalks of the lawn, which thanks to the subsequent supply of nutrients quickly close the gaps that have arisen. If you remove a large amount of clover while scarifying, it promotes a particularly bare spot Overseeding the growth of the lawn.
Tips
Anyone with particularly persistent Clover in the lawn quarrels, consults the lunar calendar. Perhaps there is something to it if the experts recommend the time of the full moon and the waning moon as the ideal time for weed control. From the new moon, the weeds gather fresh strength for a new beginning. By then, the clover should be finished off.
Tip 4: Use chemistry to tackle the evil at the root of the clover
If clover cannot be removed using either manual or mechanical methods, there are three alternatives to choose from as to how to proceed. Either transform that Lawn in a meadow, create a new lawn or swing the chemical club. The following preparations consistently receive good reviews for the targeted removal of clover from the lawn:
- Lawn weed-free Anicon Ultra from Celaflor
- Lawn weed killer Banvel M from Compo
- Lawn weed killer Perfect from Compo
Two aspects play an important role in the choice of the preparation. The product must be specially suitable for use on lawns and work against dicotyledonous weeds. Much touted panaceas such as Roundup or Glyphosate, on the other hand, make short work of all greenery - including your lawn.
Correctly apply herbicides against clover
So that a weed killer can remove clover from the lawn for a long time, important preparatory work and optimal weather conditions come into focus. Mild, frost-free weather is ideal. The soil should be warm and dry. How to increase the efficiency of herbicides against clover in the lawn:
- Fertilize the lawn about 2 weeks beforehand (the stronger the growth, the better the effect)
- Do not mow the lawn before using the weed killer
- No rain must be announced for the first 8 hours after application
- Do not apply in direct sunlight, as the preparation then dries too quickly
Wear protective work clothing consisting of trousers and a long-sleeved top. Prudent hobby gardeners also put on respiratory protection. Since these are liquid preparations, we recommend using a watering can. The fine spray of a Pressure sprayer could drift off to the surrounding beds. Do not fail to thoroughly clean the watering can of all residues of the herbicide afterwards.
Tip 5: Effectively prevent clover in the lawn - this is how it works
Regardless of the type of clover, the growth in the lawn always indicates a deficiency. A professional one is used so that you don't even have to struggle with removing weeds Lawn care as an effective prophylaxis. Pay attention to the following care factors, deprive clover in the lawn of its livelihood:
- A pH test or a Soil analysis create every 2-3 years
- According to the result, the lawn in the spring lime and fertilize with horn meal
- Strengthen the lawn in autumn with fertilizer with a high concentration of potassium
- Do not mow deeper than 4-5 centimeters to prevent sunlight from reaching the weed seeds and causing them to germinate
- Water the grass area regularly when it is dry
- Never let clover bloom in the garden, as the seeds can be carried by the wind to the lawn
Liming the lawn to prevent clover is a double-edged sword. To against white clover and Wood sorrel proceeding works Lawn lime effective, as the preparation raises the pH value. If you are dealing with lime-loving horn clover, you can even give the weed a hand with this remedy.
Tips & Tricks
Not in the mood for weekly mowing the lawn in summer? Then create a flower lawn as the golden middle ground between a uniform ornamental lawn and a knee-high one Wildflower meadow. This stroke of genius succeeds thanks to a combination of slowly growing ones Types of lawn and small, step-resistant types of flowers. Mowing is only done 2 to 3 times per season.