“What is going on with the clover this year? Why isn’t our weed treatment working?”
If you work as a Property Manager or Landscaper, your Condo Boards will be asking these questions. With 2024 having a “weed pop” 3 weeks early this year, and the high rainfall index, we are seeing more and more clover infestation in our property’s greenspaces.
Unlike Dandelion and Thistles which are the most common aggressors, Clover has a thicker leaf with a waxier finish that makes most weed killer less efficient. You will be seeing a reduced infestation but not a complete control.
What can be done? Aside from hiring a colony of rabbits, you can add aeration and fertilization to your seasonal landscaping contracts to quickly work and advance Clover control.
Boards will often ask me about what type of herbicide is being used. Depending on your contractor, your properties will be treated with a selective, broadleaf weed killer possibly with formulated iron chelate solution. Fiesta is one such brand in a liquid form. This is a long term solution which can drastically reduce the thistle and dandelion populations.
The spray comes out red, proving even application. This will only control the weeds which have “popped”.
Fiesta does not affect the flower of the Dandelion (which is why your contractor should treat Dandelions that have gone to seed) or Clover and it is absorbed through the leaves. Depending on the time of year, between 3-5 days after the spray, you will see the edges of the leaves turn a dark colour and curl under.
Each spray works to shrink the plant slightly and make it difficult for the plant to re-feed itself. Eventually it can’t and it dies. The leaves of Clover will turn beige on the edges.
Having your landscaper cut the grass at 3” will help choke out new weed growth as will not cutting it in the summer weeks if new growth is not apparent and showing signs of dormancy.
Your landscaping contractor will be the best person to determine the schedule for treating depending on your watering availability and ground conditions.
No rabbits were harmed in the writing of this blog and I have yet to find a four-leaf clover!
Contribution made by Tami Bergen
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