Message Board - Cricket: Clover
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
Suffering with clover on square currently. Any suggestions for getting rid of it? I had a go with some stuff called verdone 7 last year, got rid of the clover but also got rid of the grass! Mind you, I think I mixed it up too strong
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
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25 Apr 2011 by Sunlover
Clover really gets up my goat. I get it on the outfield. Last year a local farmer sprayed my outfield with a selective weedkiller. The clover came back a month or so later, while all other weeds stayed away.
Cover generally needs to sprayed twice over the course of the summer to keep it away, unless you get some of the more expensive herbicides like Spearhead which if you read the label only needs one application.
I do get the odd bit of clover on my square, but I mix up a few drops of selective weedkiller into a mist sprayer and give it (the clover) a squirt. This keeps it at bay. Every time I cut the square I keep an eye out for any weeds and spray them asap.
World Heavyweight Champ
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
After last seasons experiment with verdone 7 I am worried about trying it again but that's all I've got. Much worse this season
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
25 Apr 2011 by tavdebo
you need a selective with a high mecoprop-p content.
mecoprop-P gives excellent control of clover,try the selective herbicide T2 green
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
What the f is mecroprop-p content?
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
25 Apr 2011 by Steve63 Last edited 25 Apr 2011
Selective weedkillers are usually a combination of two or three active ingredients, eg mecoprop
The difference between the various different products on the market is which, and how much of each active ingredient they contain.
Clover is controlled better by products with a higher % of mecoprop
The best results that I have had has been with one of the cheapest but I don't have a big clover problem, mostly daisies, dandelions and some plantain, all withering nicely since being sprayed two weeks ago.
Ste
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
25 Apr 2011 by olaf
The active ingredient. It's on the label along with application rates etc.
Jolly useful info especially to avoid the problem you encountered in the first post on this thread Barry.
But then again with your infinate wisdom reading the instructions is just for us mere mortals!
Most selctives contain 2-4D, mecodrop, dicamba with a few cheapies with ester. Clover, similar to pearlwort control requires a different combination of active ingredient than most other braod leaf weeds..
Barry, a quick search of the internet will come up with products suitable for clover control, if it don't say it controls the problem on the pack then it won't and putting it on stronger will just kill the grass.
Some people are like Slinky's, totally useless but amusing if you push them down the stairs
25 Apr 2011 by jontaylor
One of the actives
Verdone, diluted correctly, works for me. It is also an amateur use product so suitable for people in my position.
The ciderman rolls
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
As I said guys, I made it up too strong before. But I was just wondering what else people were using .
Olaf, patience is a virtue that I don't have in abundance, I am however blessed with a fair amount of stupidity.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
25 Apr 2011 by Vic Demain
Believe clover to be a sign of low nitrogen input, surprised it isn't covering our outfield.
25 Apr 2011 by olaf
With you on that.
"God give me patience and do it NOW") is my favourite prayer along with "Dear Lord please help me to keep my big mouth shut till I know what I'm talking about".
I'm slowly getting there.
Enjoy the sunshine.
I used to do self depreciating humour but I'm not that good at it.
Some people are like Slinky's, totally useless but amusing if you push them down the stairs
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
Well Vic I know it needs a feed but the way the weather has been, I've not put only granular spring/ summer stuff for fear of it not getting washed on ok and burning. So I've arranged for it to be sprayed with liquid fertiliser this week hopefully.
I might try a bit of the verdone at the correct strength on one strip but it takes a month before much happens I believe.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
25 Apr 2011 by Mike
Agree with Vic's comments. Clover fixes it's own N from the atmosphere, whereas grass cannot. An N deficiency in the soil/available to the grass will weaken the sward - this is where clover will take over.
If you can get a feed on a couple of weeks before the verdone, or another selective containing Mecoprop, you will find that the control will be more effective.
Mike
25 Apr 2011 by Grassman2011
Ive been led to believe that clover is an idication of lack of N.
If that is the case and i always have some clover, why does the grass keep growing so fast?
Weeds being sprayed tomorrow, assuming the man turns up.
25 Apr 2011 by Mike
Grassman - if you applied N, would your grass grow quicker?
I'm theorizing now, but if the clover is fixing N quicker/more efficiently than your grass is, surely the clover will dominate, even if the grass is growing 'quickly'?
Mike
25 Apr 2011 by Chris Thornton
As far as I can remember, Clover is a sign of , lack of nutrients, irregular mowing and cutting too close.
As has been said. Feed it (grass) raise the cut and cut it more often. Selectives of course during this process. Worked for me at me last place!!
"He not busy being born is busy dying"
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
So to summarise guys, feed it before applying anything to knock it back and raise the hoc?
To be honest I'm not cutting it short and am leaving 6/7mms on the actual pitches mainly cos of the weather.
My concern would be with leaving it another couple of weeks before trying the verdone again would be the clover could get even stronger and proliferate even more.?
I might try putting some on verdone on one pitch tomorrow in an area that won't be in the line of play before the liquid feft goes on
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
25 Apr 2011 by Mike
Barry, as a general rule of thumb, when trying to kill pretty much any type of weed that you will be faced with, the best kill rate will be achieved when there are optimum growing conditions and plenty of 'herbage' present.
So, let it grow as much as you can, provide sufficient levels of water, nutrient and hopefully, sunlight.
Hope this helps
Mike
25 Apr 2011 by Grassman2011
The clover is in the outfield Mike, same patches each year. Outfield grows to fast now, usually mown 4/5 times a week at 10/11mm. Outfield is as good and strong as i have known it this year, this drought is just showing its first signs in the outfield but it has not been fed since last June. Been growing like the clappers since Christmas.
25 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
So Mike
Hopefully after the liquid fert has had a chance to work?
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
25 Apr 2011 by Mike
Strange one Grassman - several studies have shown that nitrogen itself can have a detrimental effect on Clover. Most suspect that it is actually down to a reduction in available light due to the increase in grass growth, which reduces the growth points on the clover, and may also weaken the stolons - nothing is concrete yet as far as i'm aware however.
Barry - yes, liquid feed will be fine, followed by a selective. You should notice an increased kill rate by doing this.
Mike
26 Apr 2011 by jlawrence
I had quite a bit of clover and have always had a problem getting rid of the stuff since Clovertox went out. Have tried headland relay turf this year and it seems to be having a good effect.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
26 Apr 2011 by Steve63
The best results I ever achieved on clover was with Estermone, the super selective I applied 2-3 weeks ago has done the job pretty well on everything on my square.
The theory on a feed before applying the selective is sound, the reason generally being that the weedkiller is often a hormone based product which will make the weeds outgrow themselves and then die, the feed enhances this process.
This is why you will see a spurt of growth within a few days of applying the chemical.
Ste
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
26 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
Well I've had it sprayed with liquid fert that included a seaweed mix.
So the plan is to use a properly diluted dose of verdone extra in a couple of weeks
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
26 Apr 2011 by why me
Steve 63, I'm with you on that one estermone works very well, as you say feed first and jobs a goodun.
26 Apr 2011 by barry glynn
Hope so!
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
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