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How To Kill Wild Violets In Lawn

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What Are Native Wild Violets

How to Control Wild Violets in the Lawn

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!

How To Control Wild Violets

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A few wild violets can add a charming splash of color to your garden or lawn, but these weeds can spread quickly and dramatically when left unchecked. You can control violets using both chemical and organic measures, but you should know that both methods will require time and dedication.

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.

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How To Identify Wild Violet Weed

The first step to controlling wild violets is identifying the plant. They are low-growing plants growing to about four to six inches . They have green heart-shaped, waxy leaves.

However, their most recognizable feature is their flowers you can easily identify the plant by the wild purple flowers growing in the yard. However, some plants also produce white or yellow flowers.

How To Kill Wild Violets And Discourage Them From Coming Back

How to Get Rid of Wild Violets in the Lawn
  • Kill wild violets and other pesky lawn weeds with fast-acting Ortho® WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Use. It’s rainproof in just an hour and won’t harm the surrounding lawn, plus the Comfort Wand makes it extra comfortable to use.
  • To kill a widespread infestation of wild violet, go with Ortho® Weedclear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray. A single bottle treats up to 5,000 square feet and the convenient hose attachment makes application as easy as watering your lawn.
  • Regular feedings for your lawn provide the nutrients your grass needs to grow thick and strong and help crowd out weeds like wild violet.
  • Mowing at a height best for your lawn allows the grass to grow thick and develop a deep root system. Grass clippings recycle plant nutrients back into the soil, so leave them where they fall if you use a mulching mower.
  • Your lawn will begin to wilt when water is needed. As much as possible, take advantage of nature’s sprinkler and rely on the rain to water your lawn. If you do use sprinklers, set them to water your lawn deeply and infrequently. Most lawns only need an inch of water per week.

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Why Are Wild Violets Hard To Control

Some people consider wild violets to be flowers they are beautiful and a close relative of viola garden flowers.

However, they are very aggressive in nature and very stubborn to get rid of which is why they are considered to be weed plants.

But why is the wild violet so hard to control? Three things make the plant a nightmare for homeowners:

  • The underground rhizomes and stolons : two of the mechanism through which the plant spreads aggressively.
  • The waxy leaves: make it hard for herbicides to stick to the plant.
  • Self-fertilizing flowers: aside from rhizomes and runners, wild violets also spread through seeds. The worst part is some of its flowers are self-fertilizing meaning that they can reproduce even without the plant blooming.

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.

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What Do Wild Violets Look Like

Although wild violets can be a nuisance, they are at least a pretty one! So, what do wild violets look like? This weed is low-growing and features broad leaves that can grow in both sunny and shady areas – making it a very invasive weed in your lawn.

Featuring flowers that can bloom in violet shades, as well as white, blue, purple, or yellow, these weeds often look quite delicate, but donât let them fool you. Wild violets can create thick mats of leaves that grow rapidly and aggressively. Okay, but why is this so bad? These mats of leaves can actually block the rest of your lawn from getting the nutrients it needs, meaning the weeds will thrive while grass and other flowers struggle.

With a waxy leaf covering, extensive root systems, and their ability to grow and spread rapidly, finding what kills wild violets successfully can be a hard-earned battle.

How To Get Rid Of Wild Violets In Your Lawn

How Do I Control Wild Violet? | Herbicides for Wild Violet
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  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $20

Wild violets are a close relative of violas, pansies, and other garden flowers. While some people view this plant as a fine wildflower, others regard it as a stubborn perennial lawn weed. Wild violets can be removed by hand, especially if you regularly inspect your lawn to control the plant before it spreads. But sometimes this weed calls for the use of chemical herbicides for complete eradication.

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What Causes Wild Violets

Wild Violets grow best in shady, moist and fertile soil. They spread via underground root systems and seeds. 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.

Choosing A Lawn Care Company To Win The War On Tough Weeds

While it may feel like the battles against these weeds are never-ending, when you choose to work with a lawn care company that employs a long-term strategy against tough-to-control weeds like violets and ground ivy, then youll finally start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

With the right approach, youll see these weeds lessening each year as your thick and healthy lawn fills in. Of course, when it comes to combating aggressive weeds, you absolutely must keep up with a proactive annual program. Even taking just one year off could land you right back in a mess. But with the right care, performed regularly, you can stop feeling like progress is hopeless and start seeing the results you desire.

Are you ready to have a thicker lawn and get rid of violets and ground ivy at your Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton, PA home? Get in touch with us to get some free expert advice and learn more about our lawn care programs which include three lawn care pricing options.

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Removing Violets By Hand

Wild violets frequently commandeer lawns that are not well kept. As such, its important to keep up with yard maintenance. This will not only guard against future violet outbreaks but plenty of other weeds as well. A good lawn care program can also prevent insects and other pests. In short, keeping a healthy lawn protects a whole variety of problems. But back to violets. Its perfectly acceptable to dig them out, but as we mentioned earlier, they have rhizomes. Therefore, you need to dig horizontal under the soil, not straight down, to really remove as much of the root system as possible. Dont be discouraged if it takes several years to completely remove violets in this way. Youre not a bad gardener youre just up against one tough weed!

Are Wild Violets Safe

Getting Rid of Wild Violets

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.

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How Does Ground Ivy Grow

Ground ivy was an import from England, where it has acquired some colorful names such as creeping charlie. In England, it is also known as Gill-over-the-Ground, Catâs Foot or Runaway Robin. Creeping charlie is probably the most descriptive name as it reproduces by seeds and also by long, above ground runners called stolons. The stolons wind their way through the grass, pushing down roots and sending more stolons creeping throughout your lawn. Ground Ivy prefers shady sites, but has been found growing in full sun. The plant has square stems and is a member of the mint family. A strange characteristic of ground ivy is that when mowed, it has a strange strong pungent smell. I guess it doesnât carry the family trait of the pleasant smell of mint.

Stay On Top Of Things

It may take a couple years to really get a handle on a big crop of violets. Understand that these weeds are very persistent and will try to come back. Dont wait until it is a big problem again to start a major war in your lawn. Plan proactively with a good lawn care program to keep these weeds in check.

It is possible to get rid of violets if you are more persistent than they are. If youre interested in finding out more about how we can provide the weed control treatments, soil testing, aeration, or seeding you need to win your violet war, please dont hesitate to contact us.

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Will Boiling Water Kill Wild Violets

Even though boiling water kills wild violets, but can you imagine using it on a large lawn. Its only feasible on a small scale, lets say your small backyard lawn.

While violet flowers may look beautiful on your lawn -with their mesmerizing purplish blooms, violets are invasive weeds that will vigorously invade your grass if left unchecked. Furthermore, these are yearly weeds, which means if the issue is not solved, they will be back next year and the year after.

But dont worry, as explained above there are numerous methods you have learnt on how to kill violets In the Lawn.

How To Kill Wild Violet

How to Kill Wild Violet and Wild Strawberries in a Lawn – Extremely Difficult Weeds to Control

Find out how to banish this pesky weed from your lawn.

Wild violet is a perennial weed found in many northern regions of the U.S. It flowers in early spring and is usually found in the shady, damp areas in your yard.

Killing wild violets in your lawn can be a difficult challenge, but we can help. One thing to keep in mind: Wild violets are best controlled in the fall as they are preparing to go into winter.

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What Is Ground Ivy

So, what is ground ivy? Great question! Ground ivy, also known as âcreeping charlie,â is a very aggressive weed that grows in thick mats across your lawn. It gets its name, âcreeping charlie,â as it can creep across your lawn, harming your grass as it goes.

Not sure if youâre dealing with ground ivy? Hereâs what to look for in your invasive weeds:

  • Ground ivy features rounded leaves with scalloped edges
  • Will often sprout a small purple flower
  • Essentially acting as a vine, ground ivy will grow low to the ground
  • Features nodes that form roots if they reach the soil, making them deeply-rooted and hard to hand pull

This weed prefers shady and damp areas and is often resistant to herbicides, making removing ivy from ground landscapes a real hassle. And if youâre wondering – âdoes tenacity kill creeping charlie?â The simple answer is – no. Pulling at this often deeply rooted weed will prove unsuccessful. As it spreads and takes root, this weed flowers in the spring – a great time to start the process of killing ivy on ground surfaces.

Kill Wild Violets Using Herbicides

Herbicides are the best solution for controlling wild violets, especially if the infestation is widespread. The best wild violet weed killers to use are broadleaf herbicides.

Top examples include those that contain Dicamba, 2,4-D, triclopyr, and MCPP active ingredients. For the best results, I recommend:

You can also look for other herbicides that target wild violets in your local gardening shop.

When purchasing these herbicides, it is also a good idea to buy a surfactant . Mix the product with the wild violet weed killer before applying to ensure that it sticks on the leaves of the weeds.

Other tricks that can help improve wild violet control when using herbicides include:

  • Spot applying the herbicide with a hand sprayer: this will ensure that you get all the weeds while avoiding spraying of lawn and other useful plants.
  • Spraying the plants during fall: during this season, the herbicide will be transported into the root system, as the plant tries to store nutrients and water for the winter period. Therefore, it will have a higher chance of success than say spring or summer.
  • Applying the herbicide repeatedly: some weeds may survive the first or even second treatment. However, the repeated application will completely kill off these stubborn wild violet plants.

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What To Use To Kill Ground Ivy And Violet

My go-to weed control here is the active ingredient Triclopyr. 2-3 applications this fall will go a long way towards you regaining ground.

This High Yield product works great and is affordable. The mix rates are:1.5 Tablespoons of concentrate 2 Teaspoons of non-ionic surfactantThese are mixed into 1 gallon of water.This makes an emulsion that you can spray across 1,000 sq ft of area if you are blanket spraying, or use it for spot sprays and spray until the leaves of the weeds appear wet but not dripping.It may take a few applications and as long as your outside air temps are still over 55F during the day, you can re-apply 14 days later for a double knockout.Here are a list of other weeds you may be seeing that this product is labeled to control, some better than others .

Notes: It is very important to agitate this mix thoroughly and constantly. Even while you are spraying, be sure to shake the emulsion often.No watering for at least 24 hours after application. No mowing for at least 5 days after the application.

Horticultural Vinegar Control For Wild Violets

Wild Violets

Related Articles

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.

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