While some gardeners appreciate the white or red flowering clover as a part of the lawn or even as a lawn substitute, others do not like the easy-care "troublemaker". While clover in the bed has to be weeded by hand, the scarifier can be used if there is clover in the lawn.

Clover is best removed with a scarifier

Use the clover as green manure and cover crops

Since the types of clover used agriculturally due to their high protein content, such as red and white clover, have special properties, they are often used as intermediate crops in late summer and as green manure. After all, this has the following effects:

  • Enrichment of the soil with nitrogen by nodule bacteria on the roots
  • Loosening of compacted soils
  • erosion protection

So that hardy clover varieties such as red and white clover can decompose in good time before the next crop, they must be mulched before winter. A scarifier (€84.00) can be used on a flat surface to save time and work.

Fighting clover in the lawn with the scarifier

On lawns with clover, the scarifier ensures that the clover plants are pulled out of the ground together with their roots. Since clover not only reproduces by sowing, but also vegetatively, veritable clover nests often form in the lawn. Individual clover nests can also be cut out by hand and the gaps filled with soil and lawn seed. In the case of a strong mixing with clover, however, the only option is to remove it with a powerful scarifier. The uprooted plants can be disposed of on the compost heap as long as they are not already withered specimens with seeds attached.

Where to get a scarifier from

Depending on the soil and site conditions in the garden, a scarifier is needed at most once or twice a year. Therefore, the purchase and care of such a device is not worthwhile for every hobby gardener. However, well-maintained scarifiers can usually be hired from specialist garden shops or from gardening associations and neighbours.

tips

In addition to scarifying, measures should be taken to strengthen the grass in its growth. Ensure adequate watering and targeted fertilizer selection to positively influence grass growth in relation to clover. If the lawn is heavily infested with clover, covering the area temporarily with a plastic film can sometimes bring about the desired result instead of scarifying, as the grass recovers more easily than the clover.

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Herbs