Will covering clover with mulch kill it off?

[toddmd2]

I just weeded my big island in the back yard, well I weeded the big stuff out of it anyway (dandelions, crab grass). Unfortunately there's quite a bit of clover and some other low to the ground plants left in there for another day.

I'm getting ready to treat that area with pre-m and wanted to know if I could use the pre-m on the area with the clover without pulling all of it up (there's a whole lot of it and I'd rather not have to pull it all). I'm sure it can be used on that area, but will it kill the clover?

Additionally, when I mulch, is it necessary to get all of that clover up before mulching? I was hoping the mulch would smother the clover. Does it work this way?

[VoodooChile]

"Pre-em" is short for pre-emergent herbicide, or products that kill weeds that haven't germinated, or emerged yet. It won't kill established weeds.

Since you have disturbed the area by weeding, a pre-emergent herbicide is a good way to kill the weed seeds that are sure to germinate and establish following soil disturbance, that is, stirring up the soil and bringing new weed seeds closer to the soil surface where it is moister and warmer and germination is more likely to occur.

An Organic Alternative to chemical pre-emergents is Corn Gluten, a powdered by-product of the corn milling industry that produces a root-cell division inhibitor when decomposing that prevents germinated weed seeds from establishing. Dust soil surface with a light consistent layer, water in but do not mulch for several weeks. Corn gluten is available at most feed mills.

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Clover has a tap-root that is difficult to dig. A light layer of mulch won't do much, and it might still push through a thicker layer. Try taking layers of newspaper (several sheets thick) or broken down cardboard boxes and overlapping them on the site, wetting down as you go. Then mulch. This will prevent the clover from breaking through the mulch and kill it. This strategy will also eliminate the need for pre-emergents.

Abiding Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) strategies I don't advocate that you Spray and Pray, because there are non-chemical means to solve your problem, although there are certainly chemical alternatives for killing clover that others here at GTX could tell you about.

[HardDaysKnight]

Voo-Doo has given you great info. I'm just wondering
why you don't get down there and do the work?
I would get on my knees with an sharp edging shovel
and get rid of it. Sometimes you just have to do the work!
That's why we are in business. To do work for those that
don't want to get dirty or physical. If you sterilize the area
you won't be able to do what you aspired. If you don't
know about treflan or weed-killers or selective herbicides
you shouldn't be using them. That's just how I feel.
There must be someone on this exchange you can hire
to make sure it's done correctly and safe to the enviornment.

[toddmd2]

If the only way to get rid of it is to dig it up, then I'll do it. I was just wondering if there was a better way of doing it. I really don't know much about this kind of stuff, so that's why I ask my idiotic questions here.

[VoodooChile]

The cardboard/newspaper idea came from Martha and worked wonders on some dandelions for me last Fall...or dig.

[GLAN]

Yes.......but paper that uses soy inks.........no colored print at all should be used.

[HardDaysKnight]

Originally posted by toddmd2
If the only way to get rid of it is to dig it up, then I'll do it. I was just wondering if there was a better way of doing it. I really don't know much about this kind of stuff, so that's why I ask my idiotic questions here.

No question is idiotic. Not asking and doing it wrong is!
I'm old school and just go at it and get it done. Give
Voodoos method a try. You were wondering if there was
an easier way not a better way, right?
The sure fire way is to dig. It always amazes me how much
stronger Nature is than man.

[NC Lawnscapes]

That is some good post guys and gals

Now first I am a STRONG beliver that Homeonwers whould not be allowed to buy any type of pesticide so that said if you dont want to dig it up then hire someone who has a Lisc. to kill it for you


By placing Mulch over it you will do one thing and that is Accerlate its growth. Why not just put landscaping fabric down and kill it that way OR you can do the cardboard approach,


There is an old joke around here

How do you get grass to grow where it wont grow

MAKE A FLOWER BED or PUT MULCH DOWN and grass will grow for sure

[toddmd2]

I just might have to give that newspaper trick a shot. But I am feeling ambitious today, so I'll probably go to the Depot, get some pre-m and get to weeding. How well does the corn gluten work? Considering that I'm probably not going to mulch for another month, would that work for me?

One other thing, I saw a commercial yesterday for Scott's Turf Builder that is supposed to kill dandelions and other lawn nuicances. Does that stuff work?

[toddmd2]

I finished up my weeding today and put down some preen. Now its just a waiting game right? I'll have to wait a little while, weed, then put down some more preen, correct?

[GLAN]

Yes...:)