Many area lawns appear to be covered with popcorn or miniature golf balls this summer. The white spheres are really the flowers of white or Dutch clover, which is thriving because of the cooler air and soil temperatures that were prevalent this spring. Environmental conditions that are favorable to its growth and lawns that are stressed due to the drought-like conditions of the summer and fall of 2003, have promoted the growth of white clover to the extent that many homeowners are looking for ways to eliminate it. Until the 1950s, clover was included in lawn seed mixtures as a desirable lawn plant. It is still an attractive, low maintenance ground cover that is soft to walk on, mows well and fills in thin spots in a yard. But to many of us it is a weed that interferes with our green, manicured lawns. Clover can become invasive in thin lawns and lawns that have been stressed because of drought or winter injury. If you want to control clover, spray with MCPP or a product containing it when temperatures are expected to remain cool. Do not use this chemical when temperatures are predicted to reach 80 to 85 degrees within 24 hours. MCPP may be listed as mecoprop and is the active ingredient in clover and chickweed killers. It is also found in Trimec and some other general-purpose broad-leaf weed killers. Weed killers such as Weed-B-Gone that have 2,4-D as their only ingredient will not control clover. Clover usually disappears six to eight weeks after application. Don’t reapply MCPP if the clover seems unaffected. Wait three or four weeks after application before you reseed. Clover is invasive when conditions such as low soil fertility, compaction and poor soil aeration inhibit grass growth. Maintaining healthy grass helps keep clover from spreading. To improve your lawn, water grass thoroughly every week to 10 days to encourage deep roots. Lawn should receive a total of one inch of water each week. Mowing your lawn no shorter than 2-1/2 to 3 inches will also encourage deeper grass roots. If your soil is heavy and compacted, aerate your lawn in early fall to promote better drainage. Have your soil tested to determine soil fertility and fertilize accordingly.
