I have been on the Randy Lemmon schedule for about 2 years and my lawn looks great- with the exception of a 3'x5' area of clover. I have nuked it multiple times with weed-b-gone but that appears to be stunting the grass and the clover comes right back.

Can I spot treat with pre-emergent and more weed killer or should I just re-sod that area? I'm honestly shocked at the persistence of the clover. There's grass underneath it that I think would flourish if I could knock back the clover for more than a few days.

Thanks OB!

Have you tried pulling it?

Yes- but it seems like the roots stay buried. Again- that's been a short term solution.

I realize resodding is the obvious answer, just more concerned about the resilience of the clover as far as future treatments.

I am no expert but have followed Randy's schedule for years and will throw out my observations.

The preemergent is supposed to go down in May or early June. Not sure if it is too late but you may have missed that window as timing is important since you are trying to prevent the clover from germinating. The May/June preemergent is to prevent weeds in the fall so you won't see results for a while. When is the last time you put down preemergent?

I've always used Barricade and have found it to work well but nothing is perfect. There are issues such as amount of rainfall after you have put it down, especially if you have a major rain.

Also, I was thinking clover is one of those weeds that normally burns off in the heat of summer but I may be wrong, especially if your patch is in a shady area.

If you haven't put down a preemergent in the last 2 months then I would go ahead and put it down and hope it's not too late. Then I would put down a weed killer and try mowing at a higher level. St Augustine is usually good about choking weeds if you give it a chance to grow.

Good luck.

I use Dimension for the pre-emergent- have not put down the June application yet.

This is a high-sunlight area so maybe that will help.

Many people confuse clover with wood sorrel. Wood sorrel is active during warm months.

Post a photo of the weed. Doesn't sound like clover.

I intentionally grow white clover in my pastures. It is very sensitive to broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D and easy to kill.

Commercial strength 30% vinegar & dish soap. One cup of vinegar with a cup of water and 2 drops of dish soap. Shake it up and spray it onto any clusters of clover.

Marlin39m said:

---

Many people confuse clover with wood sorrel. Wood sorrel is active during warm months.

---

And a weak perennial. Be sure to put some "Dawn" in your Weed-B-Gone. Oxalis (wood sorrel) has a leaf that can darn sure repel water - and the herbicide at the same time. Also, if you have St. Augustine, you must use Weed-B-Gone for southern lawns or risk burning/stunting your grass.

Marlin39m said:

---

Many people confuse clover with wood sorrel. Wood sorrel is active during warm months.

---

I've had customers confuse khakiweed and spotted spurge for clover as well.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful as always.

Yes- the culprit is definitely wood sorrell. It's been clover for my 58 years.

Also- weed killer is not Weed b gone, it's Ortho WeedClear which has a different active ingredient (sorry!) Same approach with Dawn or is this the wrong stuff?

Commercial grade vinegar plus dawn will nuke wood sorrel

If it's the one for southern lawns, it should work. Mix it to label directions, and add a squirt of dish soap.

Wood sorrel is edible. It's very tasty. You can put it in salads.

It leaves are heart shaped, clovers are not.

Google search and learn to id if you want to eat it. BUT with all the crap you put on your lawn, I would probably avoid it.

It grows with runners just like St Aug. Gotta get in there and pull out all the runners and youll end it. 3x5 should take a half hr or so.

BurnetAggie99 said:

---

Commercial grade vinegar plus dawn will nuke wood sorrel

---

The only problem with vinegar or vinegar/orange oil solutions is that they're not selective. They torch all they tough, and for perennials will take a second dose since it doesn't translocate to the roots. Not sure Augustine will tolerate that.

B-1 83 said:

---

Marlin39m said:

---

Many people confuse clover with wood sorrel. Wood sorrel is active during warm months.

---

And a weak perennial. Be sure to put some "Dawn" in your Weed-B-Gone. Oxalis (wood sorrel) has a leaf that can darn sure repel water - and the herbicide at the same time. Also, if you have St. Augustine, you must use Weed-B-Gone for southern lawns or risk burning/stunting your grass.

---

Dad showed me his lawn on Sunday after spraying the wrong stuff. Not pretty. Triple check that what you're using is safe for ALL southern lawns. Dad's stuff said not to use on certain varieties of St Augustine. He fried his lawn.

He then showed me what he used last year with no issues. It was a different mix of similar ingredients.

Don't panic yet. Water, fertilize (if he hasn't already) and wait. It's likely down, but not out.

Marlin39m said:

---

Many people confuse clover with wood sorrel. Wood sorrel is active during warm months.

---

I have some I thought were broad leaf weeds, clover, etc. it was actually wild violet. Took forever to kill off. Regular broad leaf weed killer wouldn't work.