Should I try to pull out or leave it? - Ask Extension
I'm seeding my lawn with microclover since grass isn't successful due to dogs plus I don't want to use chemicals. The clover is beautiful but this we...
Knowledgebase
Should I try to pull out or leave it? #878796
Asked July 25, 2024, 6:06 PM EDT
I'm seeding my lawn with microclover since grass isn't successful due to dogs plus I don't want to use chemicals. The clover is beautiful but this weed is infiltrating it in large patches. It looks similar to Creeping Charlie, but not exactly like it. If it's evergreen, and can withstand dog urine, i"m fine leaving it. But if it's not, and if it is going to kill the clover, I'll pull it out if possible.
Please adivse.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
It's hard to identify with certainty from the photo, but this is most likely Mock Strawberry, a very common lawn and garden bed weed that is found throughout the state, though isn't currently listed as invasive despite being non-native. Given its vigor and aggressiveness, it probably will rebound just fine if temporarily damaged by dog urine (as most perennial plants would), though it is not noted as being evergreen, so would likely lose its leaves during winter (as would the clover, if it matters, which is also non-native). It can be very hard to remove manually, because it roots at the nodes (where leaves attach to the stems) as it runs.
Miri
Miri