Black Hawk County Master Gardeners

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

Home gardeners often face decisions about whether and how to use herbicides.

Home gardeners often face decisions about whether and how to use herbicides. While some gardeners prefer nonchemical approaches, there are situations where herbicides can be effective tools for managing difficult w**ds.

This article helps home gardeners understand what's in common w**d killers and how different active ingredients work. Learn to choose products wisely, avoid plant damage, and use herbicides more safely and effectively by reading and understanding the label: https://go.iastate.edu/DF4ZPX

**ds **dcontrol ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

05/27/2026

Long before perfect w**d-free lawns became the American dream, white clover was considered one of the smartest plants you could grow in a yard. It was not treated as a w**d at all. In fact, lawn companies intentionally mixed clover seeds directly into grass because of how valuable the plant was.

White clover quietly worked like a natural support system beneath people’s feet. As a legume, it partnered with special soil bacteria that pulled nitrogen from the air and converted it into fertilizer underground. This naturally fed surrounding grass, helping lawns stay healthy with far fewer chemicals or expensive treatments.

Its tiny white flowers also became an important food source for bees and other pollinators. Even during hot summers or drought conditions, clover held moisture better than many turf grasses, keeping lawns greener and softer while other yards turned brown and dry.

Everything changed during the 1950s when selective herbicides became widely popular across suburban America. These chemicals were designed to kill broadleaf plants, and clover happened to fall into that category. Almost overnight, advertising campaigns transformed clover from a helpful lawn companion into something homeowners were taught to remove.

What was once considered a symbol of a healthy, self-sustaining lawn slowly became labeled a w**d — not because the plant changed, but because lawn culture did.

Today, many gardeners and environmentalists are rediscovering clover for exactly the same reasons it was originally planted decades ago: healthier soil, fewer chemicals, drought resistance, and support for pollinators struggling to survive in modern landscapes.

If one tiny plant could naturally feed lawns, help bees, and reduce chemical use, why do you think people were convinced it did not belong there anymore?

05/26/2026

Trust the Study!