How do I get rid of wild violets?
by
Donna
+5
Please help, I need to know how to get rid of wild violets. We have them all over our 2 acre lot. They are now invading the flower beds. I have to get them out of many areas where they have taken over. I have pulled them out and I have dug them out, yet they still are multiplying. I put the plants I took out under tall trees where no grass grows any more. Any suggestions for removing them from flower beds and choking out other plants?
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Keep pulling/weeding them. Mulch and cover them with newspapers layers and/or landscape fabric. They are beautiful but also highly invasive aren't they!?
Due to their fleshy, energy storing roots, any non-selective herbicide you use must be systemic. Glyphosate (Roundup®) will work but may take 2-3 applications a few weeks apart. Non-selective herbicides will also kill any plant they contact, including grass, so protect surrounding areas with a shield of cardboard or use a brush to apply only to the violets.
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.
Non-selective herbicides will work, including Roundup and organic herbicides, but it takes repeated treatment to gain control as the roots can be difficult to kill.
After the existing plants in your lawn are controlled, you will need to use a pre-emergent herbicide in spring & fall to prevent the many seeds the violets have already spread from sprouting. Further suppression is gained by maintaining a thick, healthy lawn that prevents weeds from becoming established.
Smother them with newspaper, cardboard or landscape fabric then cover with mulch. No sun = no grow.
For weeds in clumps like Wild Violet, Lily of the Valley or moss on paving stone:
1 cup bleach,
1 table spoon liquid dish soap
4 cups warm water.
I use a dollar store pump action sprayer
Everything you spray will be dead within 12 hours.
Environmentally better than chemical weed killers as the chlorine breaks down in sun in a few hours.