G’day, Nikolai here from The Lawn Firm. If white flowers are popping up through your grass, you’re likely looking at clover. I see it across Canberra every season. The good news is that you can fix it with a simple plan. Here’s how I handle clover on local lawns, step by step.

What clover looks like

Clover forms low, spreading mats. Leaves are small and grouped in threes. Flowers are white or pinkish and sit above the leaf. It grows fast, fills gaps, and steals space from your grass.

Why clover takes over in Canberra

Thin turf: Bare patches give clover room to spread.
Low mowing: Scalping weakens grass and opens the canopy.
Low nutrients: Under-fed lawns lose density, especially after summer.
Compacted clay: Shallow roots struggle; clover exploits weak zones.
Dry soil: Poor wetting leads to patchy growth and open gaps.

When clover is most active

You will see the first signs in late winter and early spring. It peaks in spring and summer when growth and flowering ramp up. I aim to block it before flowering so it does not drop more seed.

Quick checks I use on site

Contrast check: Clover is a lighter, flatter green than the turf.
Leaf check: Three small leaflets with pale markings.
Spread check: Stems creep sideways and root at nodes.
Pull test: Small clumps lift easily from shallow roots in thin turf.

Prevention beats cure

Use these habits to stop clover before it spreads:

Raise mowing height. Keep blades higher to shade the soil and protect the crown.
Feed the lawn. Use a seasonal fertilising plan to keep density up.
Fix compaction. Core aerate in spring or autumn to open clay soil.
Improve water movement. Use wetting agents in dry months so water reaches roots.
Close the gaps. Overseed thin areas and top dress lightly to thicken the canopy.

Control options once clover appears

Hand removal (small patches): Lift plants with a weeding tool after rain or a light soak. Remove as much root as you can.
Targeted treatment (wider spread): Use a selective approach suited to broadleaf weeds. Apply on actively growing clover. Follow label directions. Avoid naming or mixing products yourself if you’re unsure; get a pro to handle it.
Timing tip: Treat before flowering for faster results and less seed set.

Aftercare to stop regrowth

Rake out dead material once control takes effect.
Top dress 5–8 mm with a fine sandy loam to level and cover small scars.
Overseed thin zones so grass fills the space clover used.
Feed lightly to drive recovery without surge growth.
Water deeply, not often to build stronger roots and better coverage.

Common mistakes I fix

Scalping to “cut it out.” This weakens turf and invites more clover.
Starving the lawn. Low nutrients reduce density and open gaps.
Random spraying. Wrong timing or wrong type wastes time and can stress turf.
Skipping aeration. Compaction keeps grass weak and gives clover the edge.

My Canberra sequence for reliable results

Late winter / early spring: Feed, raise mowing height, treat early clover.
Spring: Aerate compacted areas; overseed and top dress thin spots.
Summer: Use wetting agents; water deeply and maintain mowing height.
Autumn: Strengthen roots with the right fertilising and fix any thin areas.

DIY or call The Lawn Firm?

You can hand-weed small patches and adjust mowing and watering. For a full lawn or repeat outbreaks, timing and technique decide the result. I assess the lawn, choose the right approach, and line up control, aeration, overseeding, and nutrition so clover loses its foothold and your grass wins the space back.