How to combat creeping charlie and clover in my lawn?

Question

In just a couple years, my lawn has been invaded by creeping charlie , clover, and some crabgrass. There is very little of my original grass left. Any advice on how to get rid of clover, creeping charlie, and crabgrass to get my lawn back to what it was? I live in southern Minnesota.

Jennifer Chase · Answer

There are a couple of things to consider if you want to get rid of creeping charlie, clover and crabgrass.... first rabbits will eat clovers so they might be keeping rabbits and groundhogs out of your perennials. The second thing is that grass is also a weed, and is easy to keep everything but creeping charlie out of if you use the weed and seed from places like home depot at least once a year. There isn't much that actually kills creeping charlie and it climbs over borders. If you use weed and seed on your lawn it will also reduce the dandelion population.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Othos Weed B Gone will control The Creeping Charlie and clover.Use Orthos Crab grass control.If you have not fertilized you lawn,now is the time to apply Weed and Feed.

William · Answer

I also suffered with Creeping Charlie! At one point, two thirds of my lawn was taken over. I tried everything under the sun. I finally tried Spectracide Weed and Feed. I mixed a much stronger solution than the instructions said. Used a handheld sprayer and really wet the 'lawn' down with no rain scheduled for the next few days. Killed the Charlie and he lawn came back stronger than ever. I still get some Charlie coming back every so often, so I pull out what I can and spot spray it along with other weeds as general maintenance. Will also take care of the clover and crabgrass. Only con is I have to mow the lawn more often.

William · Answer

The grass came fully back in about three months. Did not have to reseed. Once the creeping charlie was dead the grass just started filling in. I was surprised that what grass was left actually came back.

Antique granny · Answer

Thanks for your excellent advice. I was told to use Trimec, by my local hardware guy, all that did was make it healthier!! I will be spraying this weekend.

Gail · Answer

As I once heard a gardening radio host say....when the weeds and grass all have a nice haircut, you can't tell one from the other. Just a view from the other side of the coin.

Antique granny · Answer

An update...I gave the lawn a good dose of Spectracide Weed and Feed during a dry spell. Looks like it killed the dandelions, clover, and gave the creeping charlie a knockout punch. Not sure yet if it actually killed it, but it looks pretty sick. I will be giving it another dose in the fall, just before frost, and hope that will do it.