Get rid of lawn clover with two gardening methods that don't use chemicals

For many gardeners, the lawn is their summer showpiece, with all the hard work in spring finally paying off. That's why any rogue growth that isn't lush green grass is often unwelcome — and that includes clover.

Despite its environmental benefits, such as nitrogen-fixing roots that nourish nearby grass, drought resistance, and white flowers that draw in pollinators, clover can disrupt a lawn's uniformity.

White clover, which is the type most commonly found in gardens, is an invasive creeper that can quickly spread and potentially dominate your lawn if left unchecked. It blooms from May to October and is known for occasionally producing those sought-after four-leaf clovers.

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However, contrary to what you might think, getting rid of clover doesn't require harsh chemicals.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests that straightforward gardening techniques are usually the best approach, especially since clovers, trefoils, and medicks tend to be resistant to many selective herbicides designed for lawns, reports the Express.

The RHS recommends: "As non-chemical control methods are effective, even if time-consuming on large lawns, there is no need to use a weedkiller."

Natural ways to eliminate clover from your lawn

During dry spells when the soil becomes more compact, it's advisable to use a hand fork to lift rooted sections of the stem and the main plant, ensuring you remove the roots completely.

The RHS recommends this as a "good, easy option for quick results on small areas of lawn."

Yet when tackled across bigger sections, you might find yourself needing to reseed come autumn.

Give it a rake

One straightforward method to banish the unwanted growth from your turf is to gently rake the trouble spots before getting the mower out. This technique lifts the stems, helping your mower tackle more of the pesky growth.

Over time, the RHS points out that this approach can "weaken" individual plants and stop them from self-seeding. They cautioned: "Make sure to rake up and remove clippings containing clover to stop plants shedding seed or re-rooting."

Feed your grass

Your lawn gets its goodness from the earth beneath, so maintaining tip-top soil condition should keep unwanted invaders at bay.

You can achieve this by feeding the ground to boost soil quality. Green-fingered pros at Moowy recommend nourishing your lawn three to four times annually: during spring, early summer, late summer, and a final feed in autumn.