Move Over Clover



White clover has taken over my lawn. How can I get rid of this pesky weed?

—Diane Wojtalewicz, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Melinda:

Lawns that are nutrient-stressed are a breeding ground for clover. So, the best defense is a healthy lawn.

Test the soil to see what type of and how much fertilizer is needed to help your lawn. Proper fertilization improves lawn health, so grass can compete and crowd out clover, a legume.

One of the unique qualities of legumes is that they convert nitrogen from the air into plant-available nitrogen. Therefore, clover was once added to grass-seed mixes to assist in establishment of the lawn. Today, it's considered a weed.