I need help getting rid of Clover

[ixlr8]

I did some searches, didn't come up with much that was organic to get rid of Clover. The clover is spreading and I need to get rid of it. My soil has lots of clay in it and I am just starting to figure out what it needs to get it 'right'. My wife is deathly allergic to bee stings, the clover attract lots of bees, that is why I am trying to get rid of it. My property is tidal river front with lots of fishing activity and I would rather not take a chance of pesticides getting into the river. So.. is there anything in the "Organic" gardening world that would help, or am I going to have to be very careful with available pesticides? I am not licensed for pesticides so I am stuck using what is available at the hardware stores.
I called 2 local "professionals" and all they wanted to do was dump lots of chemicals on the lawn.. river be damn'd! :hammerhead:

TIA

[ICT Bill]

plants that grow anywhere are there because they like the environment, change the environment to select for what you want, I assume turf and the plant goes away

This is long term thinking

short term, find a local book shop and buy a book from a ME native Paul Tukey, "the organic lawn care manual"

I would imagine all of the bees have slowed down considerably up there

You should be overseeding those patches like mad this fall

[Grohorganic]

ok so mow more often to cut down the flowers of the clover, change perfumes or soaps in the bee times, and as always get an epi pen from the family doc( I am allergic and tend bees)...........................

after that why get rid of clover, it builds the soil so fast???

any ways in the hotter days,,,, do a test spot with plain old vinegar, It should work just fine...... but why again????

[ixlr8]

plants that grow anywhere are there because they like the environment, change the environment to select for what you want, I assume turf and the plant goes away

This is long term thinking

short term, find a local book shop and buy a book from a ME native Paul Tukey, "the organic lawn care manual"

I would imagine all of the bees have slowed down considerably up there

You should be overseeding those patches like mad this fall

Actually I picked up Pauls' book last week, that is what I was referring to by "just starting to figure out what it needs to get it 'right'" I am now looking at things long term, not the short term "ChemLawn" way. Although to be honest I have done nothing except mow my 1.5 acre lawn since I moved in 5 years ago. Yes the bees have slowed down for the most part... I was figuring now would be a good time to work on the lawn to minimize clover next year. I was considering overseeding... this weekend looks good for that. Guess I know what I will be doing. :D
I would not worry so much about the bees but SWMBO often does not carry her EPI pen :( and her reaction to a sting is severe enough so that she might not make it back to the house to get it. No neighbors close enough that would notice if she got stung and went down. I really don't want to think of the possiblities.

[mdlwn1]

Clover used to planted WITH grass seed long before I was born. Your not getting rid of it on 1.5 acres without some drastic (to you) measures and a consistant approach. Over seeding? Did someone really suggest that?...For clover?....lol

[NattyLawn]

The Green Guardian does well on clover, but will be expensive on a 1.5 acre lawn. You're best best is to kill off the clover areas in the early spring and re-seed. Mow high (3 to 3.5 inches) to keep the turf thick and healthy.

http://www.greenerpast.com/

[Smallaxe]

Are you kidding me? Spot spraying with glyphosate or even 'Trimec' is not going to effect your river.

My advice is to eliminate the danger to your family, even to the point of gunning for them insects with 'Raid Yardguard' if necessary.

Does anyone ever think that Earth worship has gone too far??!!?

"My children can starve if the sacred cow raids the vegetable garden...

The whole purpose of advanced technology is to make life better for us w/out destroying the world around us to do it.

[phasthound]

I agree with smallaxe. Compare the risk factors. Wife could die in moments should outweigh a one time application of low risk herbicide.

[ICT Bill]

I agree with smallaxe. Compare the risk factors. Wife could die in moments should outweigh a one time application of low risk herbicide.

He was asking for alternatives after reading Tukey's book, good for him. He doesn't want to reach for the herbicide, cheers :drinkup:
I say use fire on the areas and reseed
Gro's advice on keeping it cut will also keep the numbers of flowering heads way down

[atouchofnature]

Are you kidding me? Spot spraying with glyphosate or even 'Trimec' is not going to effect your river.

My advice is to eliminate the danger to your family, even to the point of gunning for them insects with 'Raid Yardguard' if necessary.

Does anyone ever think that Earth worship has gone too far??!!?

"My children can starve if the sacred cow raids the vegetable garden...

The whole purpose of advanced technology is to make life better for us w/out destroying the world around us to do it.


I have to agree with smallaxe. I understand that you are looking for a natural solution, but because of the small leaves and fast spreading, there isn't one that is cost effective for you, other than possibly Bill's fire method. If you have the time and patience, get yourself a propane tank & a wand to go with it and burn all of the clover if you want to use that method.

Mowing low & often, as mentioned above will help a lot in keeping the blooms away, but over time the clover will likely adapt and start developing it's blooms at a lower height. Nature is very persistent that way, though it may take a couple of years or a couple of decades for that to happen.

If it were me, I would mix up some Trimec or Mec Amine D & spray the area in question. If you want to be a good steward of the land, mix it at it's lowest recommended rate and add in some yucca extract or other surfactant to improve the coverage. With the low temperatures, the lowest rate may not kill every single piece of clover (or it might work great), but then you go out and reapply a week later to the areas where the clover persists. Both clover & bees are beneficial to the lawn & garden, but your wife is more important & those particular herbicides are low risk (as phasthound said already) when applied properly.

[phasthound]

He was asking for alternatives after reading Tukey's book, good for him. He doesn't want to reach for the herbicide, cheers :drinkup:
I say use fire on the areas and reseed
Gro's advice on keeping it cut will also keep the numbers of flowering heads way down

Yes that is commendable and I salute his efforts. I still say comparing the risk/benefit ratio is a smart thing to do. You know I'm against overuse of pesticides, but in this case it I'm not opposed to an application.

Now would be a good time to try the alternatives mentioned. If clover comes back next year, then spot treatments may be a good choice. If my wife were this allergic, I'd do what is necessary. But then again, she does have a substantial life insurance policy........

[ICT Bill]

Yes that is commendable and I salute his efforts. I still say comparing the risk/benefit ratio is a smart thing to do. You know I'm against overuse of pesticides, but in this case it I'm not opposed to an application.

Now would be a good time to try the alternatives mentioned. If clover comes back next year, then spot treatments may be a good choice. If my wife were this allergic, I'd do what is necessary. But then again, she does have a substantial life insurance policy........


You are obviously in a good mood :drinkup: :drinkup: :drinkup:

has a great life insurance policy..... too funny

[anotherturfgeek]

Have you tried burn out? It is safe for the yard/river
http://www.gardeners.com/Natural-Weed-Control/33-504,default,pd.html?SC=XNET8502

Be sure to follow safety directions...