How To Get Rid Of Violets In Your Lawn

Common Lawn Weeds And How To Get Rid Of Them

Even the best-tended lawns come under attack from common weeds. Weed seeds float in on the wind, creeping weeds claim more territory, and weeds you thought you pulled quietly continue to grow. How well your lawn copes with the onslaught depends on the weeds involved, the response you choose and your lawns overall health. Understanding common lawn weeds and the options available to fight them can help you successfully combat the invasion.

To help simplify weed defense, weve charted 10 common lawn weeds, including their characteristics, type and how they spread, and most importantly- how to eliminate them. Weeds, like ornamental garden plants, can be annuals or perennials. Annual weeds, such as crabgrass, complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season, and then die, leaving seeds behind to continue the legacy. Perennial weeds, such as dandelions, come back year after year from their roots, and distribute new seeds to boot. Weeds can also be grass-like, broadleaf or sedge. Choosing the right weed control product requires understanding the weed you want to fight and its stage of growth. Pre-emergent weed controls, sometime called preventers, work to keep weed seeds from germinating and developing. Post-emergent weed controls fight weeds that have already germinated and emerged from the soil.

Henbit & Purple Deadnettle

While slightly different , henbit and purple deadnettle are two common spring weeds in the mint family. Like other members of the mint family, they are characterized by their square stems. Both of these weeds first develop in the fall and complete their growth in the spring.

Considered winter annuals, this is another set of weeds that will make an early appearance in your lawn. Henbit and purple deadnettle thrive best in thinner areas of the lawn and are relatively easy to control if treated early with selective, liquid broadleaf weed control material.

How To Kill Wild Violets

Finding yourself plucking at wild violets for hours? With a commercial lawn, it can feel like an impossible task to kill wild violets growing in the yard, but with the right methods, you can make some headway.

Neither hand-pulling violets, nor granular products, will work well to remove violets. Getting a violet fully out is tough due to its strong roots, and many solutions wont coat the leaves with enough product. So, whats the answer?

When it comes to killing wild violets, we recommend:

• A professional-grade herbicide
• A long-term strategy, spraying multiple times a year
• A focused lawn care program for a thick, healthy lawn.

Wondering what herbicide kills wild violet weeds? For this, we recommend a professional-grade broadleaf liquid herbicide. This will be able to stick to leaves and kill the wild violets. Keep in mind, wild violets have a strong herbicide resistance. This means non-selective herbicides arent super effective in ridding your lawn of this pesky weed.

However, herbicide alone wont work. You not only need to spray multiple times a year to ensure you keep wild violets at bay but maintain the health of your grass as wild violets typically pop up in the more sparse areas of your lawn. To keep your lawn healthy, incorporate a solid routine of fertilization, aeration, and overseeding in the fall season.

With this method, youll help keep wild violets from overtaking your property, alleviating the headache of fast-growing weeds.

Also Check: How To Mow Lines

How To Get Rid Of Wild Violets And Ground Ivy

Wild violets and ground ivy can be considered some of the most difficult-to-control weeds in a lawn. They can drive homeowners crazy with their efforts to rid their lawns of these weeds with little or no success. The key to getting rid of ground ivy and wild violets is knowing the best time to apply control products.

Using Herbicides Chemicals To Kill Violets In Lawn

If larger parts of your lawn have been affected, you can kill the flowers systematically using broadleaf herbicides like Trimecor or Triclopyr. Triclopyr is mostly used by landscaping professionals, while Trimec is readily available at your local stores.

These herbicides will do the trick, but if the lawn is beyond saving, you can always kill the whole lawn and start afresh.

Recommended Reading: Ace Hardware Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening

How Do I Get Rid Of Them

Late fall is the best time to apply weed control and get rid of wild violets and ground ivy. The reason for this is that plants are in the process of moving food into the root systems in the fall. Therefore, the weed control products will move down into the root system, providing better control. A follow-up application may also be needed in the spring when the plants are flowering.

It may take two or three years to get these weeds under control. Since both of these weeds prefer shady locations, overseeding with more shade-tolerant grasses may help. If it is too shady for grass to grow, you may need to switch from grass to ground covers or mulch. You will still need to control these weeds before switching and fall is still the better time to do so.

Horticultural Vinegar Control For Wild Violets

Related Articles

• Penoxsulam Herbicide Works on What Types of Grasses?

The wild violet is an invasive plant that is winter-hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Once established, wild violets can tolerate drought-like conditions due to their fleshy underground rhizomes, which store water and allow the plant to spread. With their pretty flowers and zealous growth, they make attractive ground covers but can swiftly get out of control, overtaking a landscape. Their extensive root systems allow these aggressive plants to form colonies, making wild violets difficult to control. A homemade weed killer containing horticultural vinegar can control wild violets without expensive commercially prepared herbicides.

Read Also: When To Prepare Lawn For Spring

Don’t Miss: Baseball Field Grass Cutting Patterns

Help I Have Violets And Ground Ivy In My Lawn Info & Tips For Killing Tough Weeds

Ground ivy and violets in the lawn can be the cause of a major headache. It might seem as though every year you have more and more of these persistent weeds and no matter what you try, you cant seem to get rid of them.

Youre not just imagining it. The truth is, the aggressive nature of both ground ivy and violets makes these weeds two of the toughest to get rid of. Your fight against them can almost feel futile as they seem to fight back harder. When it comes to getting rid of ground ivy and violets, youll want to take the mentality of losing the battle but winning the war to heart. Its going to be a long road, but the right treatment approach by a professional can get you there.

The Easiest Way To Get Rid Of Wild Violets Naturally

Wild violets can be removed by hand pulling or hand weeding, but because they have long, thin roots that spread in various directions, they can be difficult to remove all at once. These weeds also grow persistently through the months, so you might find yourself having to do multiple weedings through the spring and summer months when they are growing the fastest.

If you find the violets growing faster than you are able to remove them, it might be time to apply another solution: making your own herbicide to kill the wild violets. Here are the steps to going about the easiest ways to get rid of wild violets naturally:

Also Check: Aaron’s Lawn Mower

Getting Rid Of Wild Violets

How can I rid the of wild violets? They are taking over fast.

By linda from Yadkin, NC

Best Answer

Assuming you have a grass lawn, any broadleaf herbicide should work on the violets. They are prolific seeders, so you will probably have to retreat for several years to get all the new plantlets.

When To Get Rid Of Wild Violets

Using herbicide to eradicate wild violets is best undertaken in the fall. At this time, the herbicide will be transported down to the taproot as the plant stores nutrients for winter. Thus, you have a good chance of the herbicide killing the plant down to ground level with a fall application. If you use herbicide in the spring or summer, it might only temporarily kill the surface leaves, allowing the plant to rebound.

• Garden fork
• Work gloves
• Protective clothing and breathing mask
• Pump-style garden sprayer

Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take For Sod Lines To Disappear

What Are Native Wild Violets

Wild violet is a annual weed-like flower found in the northern parts of the united states. It blossoms in spring, and you will start to see them in the cool, humid areas of your lawn.

Dealing with native violets in your lawn can be one of the most traumatic tasks any lawn owner can ever encounter.

These pretty flowers will take over your lawn in a matter of seasons, and once in control, nothing is more tenacious like the violet flower. Eliminating wild violets in your lawn can take years so be sure to have a long-term strategy!

Are you in such a situation? You have done everything, but no matter what you do, they keep coming back? And you are left wondering, is there any form of treatment that one can use to kill these invasive flowers?

Not a very good scenario to find yourself in! Dont worry, there are a couple of things you can use to kill violets on your lawn. The next few paragraphs will have some insightful information on how to deal with these pesky flowers!

Natural Methods For Weed Removal In Your Lawn

If you dont like the idea of using chemical herbicide on your lawn then here are some natural methods you can try:

Pulling Weeds By Hand

Sometimes, the traditional way is the best. If you only have 1 or 2 plants to remove, then weeding by hand is usually quick and effective.

Use a trowel to dig down around the plant and remove it from the ground. Make sure you take the roots as well.

If you want to make the job easier, you can use a weed puller. This tool allows you to stand as you pull the weeds out of the ground.

The main drawback of removing them by hand is that it takes a lot of hard work if you have a lawn full of weeds.

And because some lawn weeds grow back quickly if you leave any of the root system behind, it can be difficult to completely get rid of them without taking great care.

A common problem weed thats very difficult to control by hand once its well established in your yard is nutsedge.

Vinegar

Another natural method that people often recommend is vinegar. This burns the weed on contact, killing every part it touches. Pour it into a handheld sprayer and then apply it to all visible parts of the plant.

Youll have to use a strong acetic acid solution of somewhere between 10-20% concentration. Normal table vinegar isnt usually powerful enough for the job.

But there are two problems with using vinegar.

Don’t Miss: When To Fertilize Lawn Iowa

How Do I Get Rid Of Violets In My Yard

4/5lawnvioletsthethe lawnthoroughly answered

It’s a perennial weed with a long tap root on it. Use a broadleaf killer that contains 2,4-D or Dicamba, and it will selectively kill the violets without damaging the grass. Another great wild violet herbicide is called Drive .

Likewise, how do you kill wild violets naturally? Creating a homemade weed killer to control wild violets requires mixing horticulture vinegar with water. You can use a ratio of 80 percent water and 20 percent vinegar. This homemade wild violet weed herbicide has an 80-percent control rate over most broadleaf weeds when sprayed on the offending plant’s foliage.

Beside this, will vinegar kill wild violets?

Getting Rid of Wild Violets. Use vinegar on them. It will kill them in a day or two. Put pure vinegar in a bottle that you can control the spray and spray only the violets.

Why do I have violets in my lawn?

There are several reasons for tolerating wild violets in the lawn: It makes for a low-maintenance lawn. It avoids the use of herbicide. The plant is friendly to bees and other pollinators.

How Do You Get Rid Of Ground Ivy

As pervasive as wild violets, finding the best weed killer for ground ivy can be a tricky task. While you can pull and pull at these weeds, this is not how to get rid of ivy on the ground, as this persistent growth will just come right on back.

So, how do you get rid of ground ivy effectively? Similar to wild violets, we recommend:

• A liquid broadleaf herbicide
• A long-term treatment plan
• Effective lawn care throughout the year

Like with wild violets, what kills ground ivy is an effective, professional application of broadleaf liquid herbicide. This will require more than one treatment a year, from the spring and into the fall. We also recommend waiting to mow your lawns for three days after treatment to best keep creeping charlie at bay.

Additionally, in order to find what kills creeping charlie but not grass, youâll need to boost your lawn care to strengthen and thicken your lawn. With this process, youâll limit the spread of ground ivy while ensuring you still have grass on your commercial property.

When it comes to the question of how do you kill creeping charlie, the more the better. With this in mind, a technician can spray your lawn with treatments whenever they are there to treat the lawn, creating a better potential for controlling this invasive weed.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Nut Grass In My Lawn

Are Wild Violets Safe

Yes. The flowers and leaves of these wild plants are edible and even have medical qualities for humans.

The leaves are high in vitamin A and C and are commonly used in European salads or as cooked greens, Shipman says. The flowers can be candied or tossed into a salad to add a pop of color and flavor. She suggests making violet syrup, tea, infused honey or sugared flowers as fun and delicious family activities.

Do keep in mind, however, that you should never ingest flowers or leaves that have been treated with chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

What Are Wild Violets And How Do I Control Them

While wild violets may sound like delightful plants and their deep purple blooms are pretty theyre actually an aggressive weed that will happily invade your lawn if left unchecked. Typically found in northern regions of the U.S., wild violets flower in the spring and prefer the damp, shady parts of your yard. Whats more, these are perennial weeds, meaning they will come back to haunt you year after year. But dont despair. Weve got wild violet control tips that can help you conquer this invader.

Also Check: How To Hydroseed Your Own Lawn

Controlling Winter Lawn Weeds

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

During February, March, and April each year, my office receives numerous calls on lawn weeds. The best time to control them is between now and February. The first question we usually get is what should I spray to kill these weeds? This is a natural reaction, but it is not the only option for managing weeds. Proper lawn care and a healthy lawn are the best ways to prevent weeds. A lawn that is mowed at the proper height, aerated at the proper time, fertilized at the correct rates and times, and watered right will have fewer weeds.

How To Get Rid Of Creeping Woodsorrel

What it looks like: Also known as Oxalis, this weed has a purple hue and has sets of three heart-shaped leaves. The stems are hairy and they have bright yellow flowers that emerge in the spring.

Where it typically grows: Creeping woodsorrel prefers growing in shade instead of full sun.

How it spreads: The Oxalis plant spreads through its creeping stems and extensive root systems. Its flowers also release seeds that sprout new plants.

Best ways to get rid of it: A weed killer that targets broadleaf weeds like Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer works well to get rid of this plant.

You May Like: Rent To Own Zero Turn Mowers

You May Like: Quackgrass Removal

What Causes Wild Violets

Wild Violets grow best in shady, moist, and fertile soil. They spread via underground root systems and seeds. Seed pods grow in small capsules at the base of the plant that look like they might bloom into flowers. Wild Violets form large colonies, connecting via their underground roots: rhizomes. They often occur in newer developments that were previously wooded or in established yards with forests nearby.

How To Control Wild Violets In Kentucky Lawns

Theres an old saying that goes where theres one mouse, theres more. Unfortunately, the same could be said of wild violets in lawns. If youve spotted one violet, chances are theres an underground root system spreading like wildfire. While it technically isnt an invasive species, because its native to North America, it is incredibly invasive when it comes to lawns. They take root quickly and are difficult to eradicate but not impossible. Today, well discuss this perturbing plant and what you can do about it.

Also Check: Selling Used Lawn Mowers