What can I use to kill the dandelions but not the clover

[deere_x475guy]

Hey gang I have a country lawn....(read lots of clover) and I want to try to control the dandelions. What can I spray that will kill the dandelions but leave the clover alone?

TIA

 

[RonMar]

Well you could spot spray the dandelions with 2-4D

 

[shaley]

What Ron said.
Lawn sprays such as Weed B-Gone with 2,4-D are not very effective in controlling Clover but good for dandelions. I'd use a tank sprayer and spot spray the weeds.

 

[KaiB]

You want to be careful using 2.4-D in clover as it can harm it. For broadleaf control in clover, take a look at Butyrac or Slay.

 

[wolc123]

Just mix about 25% less 24D than reccomended. It will still easily kill the dandelions but not do much harm to the clover. Dandelions are the easiest lawn weeds to control. You may stunt the clover a little but it will come right back.

 

[Ford850]

Spot spray would be my first choice, but by mixing slighly weaker you could spray the whole lawn. Clover is difficult to control anyway, and I think it is mainly due to the way it repels the spray. If you spray when there is a dew on the leaves, your spray mixes with the dew and you will kill more clover. If you spray on a dry day with heavier mist or droplets, they seem to bead up and roll off clover but will still saturate the dandelions. You might have some damage to the clover but it ususally comes back strong.
I've spot sprayed a large lawn before, taking my time and doing 1/4 acre or less on a day, finally finishing a week or so later.

 

[greg_g]

When I and four siblings were growing up, my dad used us for dandelion control. We worked on hands and knees every spring and summer, cutting out every dandelion below the crown with an old table knife.

That's probably why I now have no problem using a lawn mower as my dandelion control mechanism of choice.

//greg//

 

[john_bud]

I think Raptor is good for all broad leaf weeds in clover fields. It won't kill grass (good for your application).

BUT, I think you have to buy it in 2.5 gal containers and at 8 oz per acre....well, I hope you have a large yard!

jb

 

[deere_x475guy]

Thanks everyone, I do remember that when using the 2-4-d on my suburban lawn that it really didn't kill the clover (which at that time I wanted to do). It seemed to just stunt it for awhile. As far as hand digging I am mowing 4 acres of county lawn..)). Don't think my knees would take that. Heck they hardly survive the 3 hours it take to mow. I think I will look into the Raptor or spary a diluted solution of the 2-4-d.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[jinman]

Until you said that your lawn was 4 acres, I was going to suggest the paint roller method. My neighbors used to laugh at me because I'd soak a paint roller in herbicide and roll the tops of dandelions and other noxious weeds in my St Augustine lawn. I've actually seen a commercial applicator that worked that way, but it was for use in flowerbeds. I'd think more than your knees would hurt if you did that on 4 acres.