My husband, who usually just mows the lawn, decided to apply weed and feed across our yard, thinking it would only target the dandelions. I've spent the last three years cultivating clover in our lawn, and now it covers about half of it. I never use herbicides, so I'm really concerned about the impact this will have. Is there anything I can do to mitigate the damage and protect my clover from dying out? I'm also worried that some of it might have gotten on my flower bed with pollinator-friendly plants. I'm feeling really upset about this situation.
3 Answers
Honestly, the best solution is to just stop using herbicides altogether moving forward. They're really harmful, not just to your clover but also to the surrounding environment. Think about using more natural weed management techniques instead!
I totally feel you on this! If some got into your flower bed, water it well and maybe consider planting some additional native flowers around the area to help promote biodiversity. It might take a little time, but with some TLC, you can help your plants recover.
First off, don’t panic too much yet! If it hasn’t rained since the application, there's still a chance to minimize damage. If he used IFA weed and feed and it's not a pre-emergent, you should have some options. Try to lightly water the area before the rain hits to help dilute the chemicals. Once it rains, consider applying a soil conditioner to help your clover recover. Just keep an eye on it!
That’s good advice! I would also recommend checking your lawn after the rain. If there are patchy spots, you might want to reseed those areas with clover to help it bounce back.