Help with Clover control on Lawn

[Linford]

I am pretty much a newbie to gardening, so bear with me...

I have recently moved into a new property and have a 100m2 lawn which was full of weeds. I have painstakingly hand removed the bigger weeds, but now the lawn is heavily covered in clover.

At this time of year, what would be the recommended steps? I was thinking about using a lawn feed (with weed killer) but having read some reviews, this is maybe not ideal for clover.

Any help or tips would be great!

 

[Linford]

 

[DirtMechanic]

I do not think that is clover? Can you take some great close up pics of the leaves and its growing habit that are not covered in grass?

 

[Linford]

Thanks for your quick reply, there are a lot of different types of weed but I’d say clover is the main culprit (pics attached) not sure what all of them are!

 

[DirtMechanic]

Does it smell strongly of onions when you cut the grass?

 

[Linford]

Can't say I have noticed any smell to be honest.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Can't say I have noticed any smell to be honest.

I was trying to identify that grass type. You cannot use everything on everything unfortunately. What grass is that? A fescue of some sort?

 

[Linford]

I was trying to identify that grass type. You cannot use everything on everything unfortunately. What grass is that? A fescue of some sort?

Ah sorry, I don't know to be honest as I recently moved into the property. I have attached another close-up photo of the grass if that helps?

 

[DirtMechanic]

Well The broadleaf looks like a spinach of some sort and I still suspect you have a fescue but I cannot stress how important the makers of weed control products feel about customers mis-identifying plants and then blaming them for all the following woe.

Fescue grows easily from seed, but you have snow perhaps? So you would reseed in the spring?

Or do you want to keep whats there and just use a spray of some sort?

I would think you are nearing the end of the lawn season about now?

 

[Linford]

Well The broadleaf looks like a spinach of some sort and I still suspect you have a fescue but I cannot stress how important the makers of weed control products feel about customers mis-identifying plants and then blaming them for all the following woe.

Fescue grows easily from seed, but you have snow perhaps? So you would reseed in the spring?

Or do you want to keep whats there and just use a spray of some sort?

We don't always have snow, but I was planning on re-seeding the spring anyways. I had wanted to get rid of as many weeds as I possibly could beforehand, though.

 

[DirtMechanic]

We don't always have snow, but I was planning on re-seeding the spring anyways. I had wanted to get rid of as many weeds as I possibly could beforehand, though.

I would suggest "Tenacity". It allows for application at the time of seeding. Or prior in the fall then again in the spring. The thatch is horrible in fescue generally, but its an insulator as well for winter warm root toes. I might dethatch it then use tenacity then spread compost and then await spring.

 

[Linford]

I would suggest "Tenacity". It allows for application at the time of seeding. Or prior in the fall then again in the spring. The thatch is horrible in fescue generally, but its an insulator as well for winter warm root toes. I might dethatch it then use tenacity then spread compost and then await spring.

Many thanks for your help, it is most appreciated. I will have a look to see if they sell this in the UK.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Many thanks for your help, it is most appreciated. I will have a look to see if they sell this in the UK.

Look up the chemical name. It may well have cheaper versions. I put it out at 3mL (yes 3) per 2 gallon hand held sprayer. Its a good time to use a soluble fertilizer or 7 as well. It seems expensive but goes a long way. I however have ST Augustine so your rate will be higher. You will probably use at least 5 ounces per acre.

 

[cpp gardener]

Anything with 2,4-D and/or MCPP will work on clover and English Daisy, your other major weed, without damaging the grass. It won't hurt seedlings in the spring, either.

 

[Linford]

Thank you both!

 

[Susan BBPM]

I am pretty much a newbie to gardening, so bear with me...

I have recently moved into a new property and have a 100m2 lawn which was full of weeds. I have painstakingly hand removed the bigger weeds, but now the lawn is heavily covered in clover.

At this time of year, what would be the recommended steps? I was thinking about using a lawn feed (with weed killer) but having read some reviews, this is maybe not ideal for clover.

Any help or tips would be great!

Have you considered keeping the clover?

When I moved into my house I used to use weed killer and feed twice a year trying to keep the clover under control. It was a thankless task. However, since learning how good the clover is for the soil and pollinators I started encouraging it. My lawn is now covered in clover and it looks great - stays green all summer and between cuts masses of lovely, fluffy white flowers covered in bees.

Of course, a lot depends upon your style of garden - if it's very formal and prim it probably wouldn't work.

 

[Sheal]

Welcome Linford.

It's too late in the year to feed lawns but down in Essex (I'm Essex reared) you will get away with a lawn weed killer if used as soon as possible. The lawn can then rest over winter and be tackled again next spring if necessary. I find Weedol liquid killer works well particularly for clover. You may be prefer to use the granular form but that will need to be spread evenly and then watered in. Weedol will take two to six weeks to kill weeds.

Edit: Follow the instructions and don't be tempted to overdose as it will burn the lawn.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Mostly it looks nothing like clover to me. Clover is a trefoil, three leaflets to each leaf, and a whitish marking that runs across the leaf. I can see a bit of clover in the lower left of the third picture down, just below the buttercup. Mostly it looks more like some sort of daisy to me. Long white roots, daisy; trailing side shoots starting to root and spread, clover.
I used to deal with such things with a wire rake, but I am getting old and have bought myself a mechanical one. It has to be done regularly, but the grass slides through and the broad leaves and trailers get ripped up. I probably don't get such a perfect finish, but it avoids chemicals and takes out any thatch at the same time. I pick it up with the mower after and it is all grist to the compost heap.

 

[Black_Thumb]

Clover has many wonderful properties, but I also am trying to get rid of it because my grandchildren get stung by the bees. I love the bees too, but I love my grandchildren more. We have pollinator gardens on our property because we love the hummingbirds, bees, and other fascinating bugs that show up for the party. We get wasps, hornets, assassin bugs, snakes, spiders, and others. I am putting together a collage of photos of all of our visitors to share with you all.

Be that as it may, I have also read great things about Tenacity. In fact, I already bought some but I have a large yard and will need a pull-behind electric fertilizer for my tractor to complete the project. I really want to have a lawn free of weeds. I live in Zone 7B (I think), and so it's already getting cool at night, so I need to find out about the timing of using Tenacity. I wish my grass grew as well as my weeds do.

 

[MrsSunflower]

Here i am over here trying to replace the non-native Grass WITH Clover for my lawn
Some looks like it might be a type of plantain which is very medicinal.