Good turf management practices, including good liming and a nitrogen fertilization program, will encourage a dense stand of turf and make it difficult for clover to become established. Knowing the optimum timing for a chemical control application will help to minimize the amount of chemical required for white clover control. Control will be reduced when the plant is flowering. The best timing for a chemical application for clover control is in the fall. Being a winter perennial, active growth from germinating seeds or existing plants begins with cooler temperatures and increased moisture.
Active growth continues in until night temperatures reach freezing.
Growth resumes in the spring with increases in temperature. For optimum control, make your herbicide application when white clover is actively growing and in the second trifoliolate leaf to flower stage of growth. Spring applications are most effective after night temperatures are consistently about 50 degrees. More active ingredient may be required for spring clover control.