Commonly known as Alsike, trefoil
Clover is a generic name for plants in the Trifolium genus and contains over 300 species. It can take over areas such as lawns, waste areas and abandoned fields. It can become hazardous to the health of cattle and other livestock when abundant and can host a variety of viruses.
Clover can be controlled in several ways. For lawns, the best control outside of chemical control is a happy, healthy lawn. Properly maintained and fertilized turfgrass can choke out many forms of clover that are hard to control via other means. Mowing the lawn longer at longer lengths in the warmer months may reduce clover as well as it is lower lying than most grasses around it. Clover, like many weeds, needs sun and is drought intolerant. Clover spreads via seed and roots so if pulling by hand be sure to get the entire plant. Chemical controls are effective both inside and outside the lawn. Depending on the species, post-emergent selective herbicides work in the lawn and non-selective herbicides like glyphosate work in beds and other “non-lawn” areas.
