Replant a garden w/ clover - Ask Extension
I have a garden and I've decided that Round One has been won by the Creeping Charlie and Nettles. However, in Round Two, I'm going to cover the whole...
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Replant a garden w/ clover #900532
Asked May 07, 2025, 6:22 PM EDT
I have a garden and I've decided that Round One has been won by the Creeping Charlie and Nettles. However, in Round Two, I'm going to cover the whole darn thing with thick black plastic and kill everything. Once that is done I'll replant with desirable plants. My question is, would it be good or bad if, right after removing the plastic, I threw down some clover seeds? My intent in doing so would be to provide something covering the ground ASAP and hopefully something that would keep weeds out, but allow whatever new plants I put in there to grow. Thoughts?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Solarization is a fine method of weed control but clear (not black) plastic works better.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation
There is a problem with thistle. The plants survive underground for several years. Thus it is better to let them come up about two inches, then spray with roundup or dicamba as directed, let the herbicide kill to the roots and then lay the solarizing sheet over that.
Solarization is a fine method of weed control but clear (not black) plastic works better.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation
There is a problem with thistle. The plants survive underground for several years. Thus it is better to let them come up about two inches, then spray with roundup or dicamba as directed, let the herbicide kill to the roots and then lay the solarizing sheet over that.
