skip to main content

My war on wild violets

8 years ago

So, we moved into our house 4 yrs ago. The lawn was covered in wild violets. The first two years, I hit them hard with wbg chickweed/clover, once a week for around 5 wks. Now, I can walk the lawn and manually remove them in about a half hour or so. I locate the weed and dig under them about 2" to get the the nodule thing and some of the root system out.

My question is whether manually removing the wild violets this way helps reduce their ability to spread in the future, or am I not getting enough of the root system to make much of a difference in the overall fight.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

User
8 years ago
You're probably doing a decent number on the violets and at least slowing them down considerably. But it's surprising what a little scrap of remaining root can do in decent circumstances.

I'm not sure what kind of lawn you have. If it's compatible, Tenacity takes out wild violet in one or two shots, and you get the grand fun of watching it turn ghost white and fade slowly and painfully. It's not fast, but it works.
forsheems
8 years ago
As Morpheus said, Tenacity will kill them but at the point you're currently at painting each leaf with glyphosate ( aka RoundUp) might be just a trad more work but a lot quicker in the end. Keep in mind, you'll likely be fight these things for several years to come so anything to make it easier is good. I'm on my second year since a full reno and I've finally got the wild violets down to an easy manageable point. With a small hobby type paint brush and straight glyphosate I just paint each violet leaf. In a week it's gone and this also takes care of the roots. As said, I still have one pop up from time to time but this method takes care of them.
Related Discussions
My favorite plant & wild violet??
Q
Comments (3)
Hi, Since you are in Washington DC you may have luck finding people selling species violets at one of your area violet shows. I would expect that they will be sometime next spring. Otherwise, the only place I know of and know the reputation of would be Pat's Pets. I don't believe that they ship in the winter so you will need to wait until next year. They sell quite a few species violets. In the USA Pat's Pets Pat's Pets Species In Canada: I know nothing about this company except that they sell violets. Because they are in Canada it may be more expensive because you will need a Phytosanitary Certificate, which will cost you more. Blue fox Farm Blue fox Farm Species I hope this helps, Larry
...See More
WANTED: Wild Violets
Q
Comments (5)
Hello! If you are still looking for violets to trade for herbs, I would be able to trade lots of yellow violets in the spring - probably May or so before they will be up. What types of herbs do you have? I am only interested in perennial herbs. Maybe we can do a trade in May. Let me know if you are interested in my yellow violets, thanx!
...See More
Use of plastic to get rid of wild violet?
Q
Comments (5)
If you keep cutting or pulling the leaves, the rhizome will eventually weaken and die, but it might take all season. I have a lot of violets, and I'm resolved to live with them and keep them from over-running everything. Besides the rhizome that can grow on the surface of the ground or buried a foot deep, they reseed prolifically. I learned to recognize the seedlings so I can pull them when they're still tiny and fragile. Whoever coined the term "shrinking violet" never gardened with these guys!
...See More
Chemical Free Weed Control? - Wild Violet, Plantain, Wild Strawb
Q
Comments (4)
We have a wicked infestation of wild violet. Monterey makes an organic herbicidal soap that kills what's above ground but they'll come back. Our next attempt to get the violets out of our beds will be to cover the area with heavy black plastic for a week or two. Then we will remove the plastic to till the area and manually rake out the foliage and roots. I expect we will need to till multiple times to clear out all the roots. After this process we will put in our perennials, mulch heavily, and be vigilant for violets poking up through the mulch. I really don't mind them in the yard...just not in my garden beds.
...See More
ranger481vs
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I asked, as I had a sneaking suspicion that my method wasn't enough. Will go for the round up and a brush. This will take no more time than what I've been doing anyway.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Ways to Naturally Win the Weed War

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Show irksome weeds no mercy with these tricks for combating them sans chemicals

GROUND COVERS Give Your Lawn a Taste of the Wild

Consider the joys of an irregularly trimmed meadow lawn: It’s ecofriendly, visually interesting and still good for romping

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Wild Ideas in the Windy City

By Mary Jo Bowling

When bold art meets great architecture and interior design, something wonderful happens

FUN HOUZZ 31 True Tales of Remodeling Gone Wild

By Mitchell Parker

Drugs, sex, excess — the home design industry is rife with stories that will blow your mind, or at least leave you scratching your head

DECORATING GUIDES Trend Alert: Paint Gone Wild

By Becky Harris

Give your home an artful touch in drips and drabs, with paint treatments that feel free to splatter and splotch

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Wild Triangular House in Boulder

By Leslie Bentson

Bold colors and eclectic vintage finds meet at every angle for a Colorado homeowner

STONE Give In to Your Wild Side With Exotic Granite and Onyx

By Jess McBride

Go beyond the standard slab with these radiant and rare stones

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard

By Laura Gaskill

End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain

COLOR What Goes With Purple Walls?

By Laura Gaskill

Make a plum wall come alive with art, warm metals, ivory, chartreuse, natural wood — and at least one wild card

Sponsored

More Discussions

Sowed a month ago, but little to no germination

5

Every spring and fall with pre-emergent, but still lot weeds???

3

Plastic netting in lawn starter

2

ultrasonic rat devices

0

Lawn care Zone 3

1