ScientificName: Trifolium repens
Description: White Clover spreads through use of rhizomes and stolons. This plant is a winter perennial. Clover draws nitrogen from the air for it’s own use and does not take any from the soil. When the plant dies back, that nitrogen is put into the soil for other plants and turfgrass to use. For this reason, clovers prefer to grow in soil that has lower nitrogen levels. This is nature’s natural way of trying to balance the soil.
Organic Control: Use an organic preemergent in the fall and in the spring such as corn gluten meal to stop any new germination from occurring. 20% Vinegar or other acid based weed control products can kill the foliage of any currently established weeds. Increase the nitrogen levels of your soil through fertilization, so that the clover will not want to take root in the first place.
Interesting Fact: Clover draws nitrogen from the air for it’s own use and does not take any from the soil. When the plant dies back, that nitrogen is put into the soil for other plants and turfgrass to use. For this reason, clovers prefer to grow in soil that has lower nitrogen levels. This is nature’s natural way of trying to balance the nutrient content of the soil.