What Kills Crabgrass Not Grass
Once seeds germinate and crabgrass sprouts emerge, pre-emergents no longer work. Actively growing crabgrass in your lawn calls for selective, post-emergent herbicides, such as Image All-In-One Lawn Weed Killer or Image Herbicide Kills Crabgrass, that kill crabgrass and leave your lawn grass untouched.
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.
What Are Wild Violets
Wild violets are a close relative to annual violas and pansies, Shipman says. They are a persistent, low-growing, broadleaf perennial that thrives in shady spots with moist soil, and they flower prolifically in the early spring. The plants grow between four and six inches tall, forming thick clumps with flowers that attract many pollinators.
These aggressive plants spread via rhizomes a creeping horizontal root that can produce new shoots or seeds. If you look closely, you can often see small, unopened flowers underneath the foliage, Shipman says. These can self-pollinate and produce seeds, a fascinating adaptation that ensures the next generation of plants, even if the opened flowers havent been pollinated by insects. The botanical term for this is cleistogamy.
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Controlling Violets In Lawns
The most effective way to control violets in lawns is chemicals. Pulling violets out of turf is almost useless and certainly, you cant mulch a lawn. Most lawns that use a lawn service dont have violets. Thats because lawn services apply a broad-leaf weed killer at the optimum time in summer. This appropriately named weed killer destroys the broad-leafed plants such as violets and leaves the thin-leafed plantslike your grass. If you dont use a lawn service, go your local garden center and check out the various chemicals that you can spread on your lawn that tout themselves as broad-leafed herbicides. Otherwise, simply look for something made for lawns that specifies controlling violets. Follow package directions exactly, especially on the time of year to apply the weed killer. Timing is everything. One note: Violets do best in light shade. Grass does not do well in light shade. Wherever grass struggles, weeds fill in. So your violet problem in your lawn may be because youre growing grass in a place it really shouldnt be growing. Consider trimming up trees, cutting out overgrown shrubs, etc. to allow more light in to the lawn. Or give up on the grass altogether and plant groundcovers, hostas, and other shade-loving perennials.
Controlling Violets In Beds And Borders
Roundup If the violets are in a spot set apart from perennials and other plants, you can use Roundup . Granted, I prefer not to use garden chemicals, but Roundup is one of the least dangerous for the wenvironment. Its a so-called non-selective weed killer: It doesnt select what plants it kills or damages. So be careful. Use it carefully on a still day when it wont blow and damage nearby plants. And Roundup is not magic. Use it on a sunny, warmer, dry day when it works best. And follow label directions, reapply every few days three or more times as needed.
Hand Weeding Hand pulling or weeding is laborious, but its the best way to control violets. You have to be persistent and do multiple weedings through the spring and summer, when violets are growing fastest. Its also a little tricky since violets have long, thin, spreading roots that are difficult to get all of. And if you leave one little bit in the soil, the violets come back. Unless the soil is very moist and soft, just pulling the violets wont work. Too much of the root will be left in the soil. Use a hoe or weeding tool to hack out most of the violet and then pull and pick any remaining bits by hand from the soil.
Mulching
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How To Get Rid Of Wild Violet
This page is an expert guide on getting rid of Wild Violet from your property using the products and methods suggested by our experienced lawn care specialists. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee you will be successful in eliminating Wild Violet.
Violets may be a pretty plant that poetry is written about and are often picked and put in the hair of little girls, but they are actually an aggressive weed that can mess up all the hard work you put into your lawn. Wild Violet can withstand drought and can be frustratingly difficult to remove.
Wild Violet likes to grow in shadier areas where grass doesn’t grow as well and features a growth pattern that results in leaves forming thick mats that can overtake your yard if you don’t intervene. If you try to mow or hand-pull them, because they are often underground, they will pop right back up before you know it.
Wild violets can be controlled, though it takes some persistence and regular treatment. If you are having an issue with Wild Violet on your property, follow our DIY treatment guide below which offers expert-recommended herbicide products to use and pro techniques that can eliminate the problem quickly and affordably.
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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How To Kill Wild Violets In Lawns
21 December, 2009
The violet, blue or white blossoms of the wild violet , also known as the common violet, sand violet and Viola papilionacea, spread across the lawn, marring the expanse of green perfection. Removing wild violets from lawns in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 is difficult. The plants rapidly resprout from the roots after herbicide treatments killing wild violets is a process that requires persistence by the homeowner.
How To Get Rid Of Violets In Your Lawn
Before we discuss how to remove them, its important to understand what makes them so tough. The answer is two-fold. Firstly, theres the waxy substance on their leaves. As we mentioned earlier, violet leaves are unique among their perennial broadleaf friends. This makes it harder but not impossible to use herbicides. Secondly, they spread through complex rhizomes systems beneath the soil. As such, you can manually remove them, but it takes more digging than you might think. Youll need to be careful which spot treatments you choose, as they may not be powerful enough to kill the violets, but they very well may kill the grass.
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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.
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 Get Rid Of Wild Violets In Your Lawn
- Pin
- Working Time: 1 – 2 hrs
- Total Time: 2 – 3 wks
- 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.
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 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.
How To Kill Wild Violets With Herbicide
The best approach to killing wild violets with herbicide is to spot treat individual weeds rather than spray weed killer over the entire area. This will minimize the chemicals being introduced into the environment. A garden sprayer with a wand nozzle will let you target the leaves of individual weeds with almost no drift of chemical mist.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Violets In My Lawn 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 plants foliage.
These Delicate Blooming Plants Can Be A Challenge To Banish From Your Yard Here’s How To Rid Your Lawn Of This Pretty Yet Pesky Perennial
There are many types of wild violet species, some native and others European and Asian invaders, but all grow primarily in the northern regions of the U.S. You can recognize these flowering perennials by their early spring blossoms and heart-shaped, waxy leaves. Most commonly the five-petaled flowers are deep purple, but they can also be white, speckled or yellow.
This tenacious little plant might be considered a bothersome weed by some, says expert gardener Em Shipman of KidsGardening.org.But overall, it has many benefits to humans, animals and pollinators. Read on to learn all you need to know about this common weed and how to keep it from taking over your lawn.
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Customers Choice: The Best Rated Herbicides For Wild Violets
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Wild violets are cool perennials that thrive well in the shady, damp soil. Regulating wild violets in the lawn may be one of a homeowners most daunting gardening issues. In only a few short seasons, these cute little plants may take over a lawn and, once they take root, nothing is as tenacious as the wild violet. It can take years to monitor or destroy wild lawn violets.Do you want to know some of the best herbicides for wild violets? Check the following reviews, comparison table and buyers guide before finding the great solution for your garden or lawn.
- Restricted in some states
- Wont kill crabgrass or St. Augustine grass
Use The Right Herbicides
Youll be hard pressed to try to wipe out a violet infestation with your four-step, hardware store, bags of lawn products. Violets will require multiple applications of liquid selective broadleaf herbicide throughout the year. Each time you treat, youll notice you wont entirely kill violets, but rather knock them back some. Professional lawn care companies will have an array of weed control products that they change throughout the year for maximum effectiveness. Some of these materials may not be available to the public for purchase. If the lawn is predominantly violets, you may even want to consider completely killing off sections of your lawn with a non-selective herbicide, such as Round-up, and starting from scratch. This may take a couple applications as well before violets are controlled.
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Controlling Wild Violet Weeds In The Lawn
One of the most difficult weeds to control in the lawn is wild violet. This native plant may look cute and dainty, especially in the spring when it produces pretty purple flowers. But in reality it is an aggressive weed with an unusual flowering quirk that results in thick mats of leaves that can choke out your lawn.
Wild violets are very tough plants that tolerate drought. But the ideal condition for them is moist soil, which this years above average rainfall has provided. This has resulted in vigorous growth and spreading of this weed.
In spring, wild violets produce their well-known purple flowers, which are often mowed off. But in summer violets can produce a different type of self-pollinating flower that stays below the leaves and produces seeds that are dropped in the surrounding area. These flowers will not be mowed off, allowing for a large amount of seeds to be spread. They also spread by underground stems. Using these two methods, they can eventually create dense colonies.
Wild violets can be controlled, but it does take some effort and repeat treatment. Fall is the ideal time to control wild violets as they will more readily move herbicides into the root system as they prepare for winter.
Selective broadleaf weed herbicides must list wild violet on the label to be effective. Bonide Chickweed Clover& Oxalis Killer is an option, or a product containing dicamba and triclopyr, but again it may take several applications to completely eradicate established plants.
Make Sure Your Lawn Is Healthy
Many homeowners dont take as good of care of their lawn as they should. Feed your grass with fertilizer anywhere from two to four times each year to encourage root growth and a healthy lawn. Fertilizing yourself will only take about a half hour with the right equipment. A thick, healthy lawn will prevent wild violets from growing.
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