Question: How do I get rid of clover that is invading my lawn and flower beds? Does anyone have a recipe I can make?
Hardiness Zone: 6b
Rose from Malvern, PA
Answer: Rose,
You may want to consider leaving some of it. When you see clover in the lawn and garden (red, white and pink clover), it is actually providing many benefits. It is a member of the legume family, which makes it a nitrogen fixer. Nitrogen fixers are plants that take nitrogen from the soil and air and convert it into a form that is useful for nearby plants. It also attracts bees, which as you know, are the most important pollinators in the yard and garden. It also creates biodiversity in the lawn, without competing strongly with the grass.
If the clover you are referring to is yellow clover (also called black medic) that is a different story. Yellow clover is a sign of low nitrogen in the soil. It can take over your lawn and choke out your grass. The best way to get rid of it is not by using a product, but by improving the soil quality (specially the level of nitrogen) in your yard and garden. This can be done with the addition of organic fertilizers or by adding 1-2 inches of compost to your lawn and garden beds in the fall. The weeds themselves can be dug out by hand, preferably when the soil is wet.
Another common clover-like weed is Wood Sorrel (Oxalis sticta). It has delicate yellow flowers and leaves that look like shamrocks similar to that of clover. Wood Sorrel is much more difficult to prevent from spreading, but at least it comes out of the ground easily when removed by hand. Using an organic weed and feed on your lawn can be helpful, but be careful to follow the directions carefully as these products prevent grass seeds from germinating as well as weed seeds. Timing is very important to the success of these products. Frequent mowing also helps by preventing the weeds from going to seed.
Good luck!
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
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