Does Crossbow Kill Clover? (Solved)
Maintaining a lush, weed-free lawn is the dream for many homeowners, but sometimes those pesky invaders like clover just seem unstoppable.
If you’re battling a clover takeover, you might be wondering if Crossbow could be the solution.
The short answer is yes. Crossbow can kill clover.
In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about using Crossbow to kill clover.
Will Crossbow Kill Clover?
Yes, Crossbow can kill the clover in your lawn. It can kill both white and sweet clover.
The active ingredients in Crossbow, 2,4-D and triclopyr are super effective at eliminating broadleaf weeds like clover.
Here’s how it works – these chemicals target the growth and development processes of the clover plants and basically cause the leaves, stems, and roots to shut down.
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You’ll start seeing the clover turn yellow and wither away within weeks.
The great thing is that Crossbow is formulated to be selective – it’ll wipe out the clover without harming your regular grass types like fescue or bluegrass.
But I would recommend testing it on a small area first.
Crossbow is not designed for home lawns, but it should be ok as long as you mix it properly.
So using the right concentration and applicati
on method is a MUST for getting the best results without accidentally damaging your grass.
How Fast Does Crossbow Kill Clover?
The speed at which Crossbow works to kill clover can vary quite a bit.
But generally, you’ll see the clover declining within about 1 – 2 weeks after applying Crossbow.
But it may take several more weeks for the clover to be completely gone, as the herbicide needs time to work its way through the plant’s roots and fully shut down its growth.
It depends on things like the size and maturity of the clover plants, the weather, and how much of the product you use.
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How To Apply Crossbow To Your Lawn
Let me give you a quick rundown of how to apply the Crossbow too:
Before you start, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the right equipment ready to go.
You can use either a backpack sprayer or a pump-style hand sprayer – just make sure everything is clean and in good working order.
Step 01
First up, you need to mix up the Crossbow according to the label instructions.
This is super important, because using the wrong concentration can cause problems. The typical mixture is around 4-6 ounces of Crossbow per 3 gallons of water.
Give it a good stir to get everything blended together nicely.
Step 02
Before you start spraying, take a minute to mark off any areas you want to avoid, like flower beds or vegetable gardens. You don’t want to accidentally hit plants you want to keep.
Now it’s time to start spraying!
Go slowly and make sure you’re getting even coverage on the clover plants.
Hold the sprayer nozzle about a foot away and sweep it back and forth to hit all the leaves and stems. Don’t worry about a little runoff or drips – that’s normal.
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Step 03
After you’re done spraying, be patient and let the Crossbow do its thing.
Like I said, it’s going to take 1-2 weeks before you really start seeing the clover start to die off.
During this time, try to avoid mowing the lawn or walking on the treated areas.
If you’ve got a really stubborn clover problem, you may need to do a second application 2-3 weeks after the first one to make sure it’s completely gone.
But other than that, just follow the label instructions, and you should be good to go!
Crossbow Alternatives To Kill Clover
Crossbow is good at controlling clover, it’s not your only option.
There are a few other herbicides out there that can also do the job, and they might be a little gentler on your lawn:
- Trimec
- Dicamba
- MCPA
All three of these are selective herbicides that are super effective against clover and other broadleaf weeds without harming your grass.
MCPA is a bit more selective than the others.
So it is a good alternative if you’re worried about potential grass damage.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Crossbow will kill clover.
However, you do need to be really careful about mixing concentrations, and how you apply it. Follow the directions to the letter, and avoid over-applying or spraying more than necessary.
Spot-treating problem areas is usually better than trying to cover the whole lawn.
If you’re not comfortable with Crossbow or want to try a gentler alternative like Dicamba.
FAQs
Is Crossbow Safe For Pets?
Crossbow is generally safe for pets as long as you keep the pets off the treated areas until the herbicide has fully dried and been absorbed by the plants.
Your pet would have to ingest a lot of Crossbow for it to be toxic.
Is Crossbow Safe For Lawns?
Crossbow is made for farms and NOT for lawns and turf. But for the most part, yes, Crossbow can be safe to use on your lawn, even with common grass types like fescue and bluegrass.
As long as you use it properly, Crossbow and your lawn should get along just fine.
