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.

Identification

Before proceeding with a treatment program, you will need to be certain that you are dealing with a wild violet infestation. Careless identification can lead you to using the wrong treatment methods which can be a waste of time and money. Below are the following characteristics to know what wild violets looks like.

• Wild violets are annual and perennial plants. That emerge in early spring and flower starting from mid-April or May, depending on the climate. These plants emerge and grow as rosettes and grow to be 6 to 10 inches in height and in diameter.
• Leaves and flowers grow from stems that branch from the base of the plant. The leaves are heart-shaped, hairless with glossy surfaces, have toothed edges, and can grow up to 3.5 inches long.
• When this plant produces flowers, the flowers are purple, violet, blue, or white and they can be up to 3/4 of an inch in diameter. The flowers grow 5 petals, two of wich will grow white hairs.

Use the description and image above to properly identify wild violet on your property. If you are having trouble, contact us and we will try and assist you with correct identification.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with wild violet weed, you can then move on to performing an inspection. During this phase, you will need to locate the areas where wild violets are growing and observe the conditions of the area that may be helping this weed to thrive.

Where to Inspect

Wild violet grows in moist soil that is partially exposed to sunlight throughout the day.

Common spots where they grow include, but are not limited to, lawns, wooded areas, and ornamental beds with trees or shrubs.

What To Look For

Wild violet emerges from the soil early spring and produces flowers in starting in April or May.

Treatment

If you have confirmed where the wild violet is growing on your property then treat them with a post-emergent herbicide treatment of Expel Turf Herbicide.

This professional-quality herbicide is labeled to control wild violet. It is easy to use, is systemic and is selective so it will only target the weed and not harm your desired vegetation.

Before handling or mixing any herbicide chemicals, please make sure you have the proper personal protective equipment on in the form of gloves, a safety mask, and protective eyewear.

Step 1: Mix Expel Turf Herbicide

Determine how much Expel Turf Herbicide to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). For acreage, take the square footage and divide it by one acre (square footage / 43,560 sq. ft. = acres).

To get rid of wild violets in warm-seasoned turf, use 8 to 12 oz. of Expel Turf Herbicide per 10 gallons of water per acre.

To get rid of wild violets in cool-seasoned turf, apply 4 to 8 oz. of product per 10 gallons of water per acre.

Due to this product’s high-volume applications, high-capacity equipment like a spray rig may be necessary.

Fill your selected sprayer with half the amount of water, add measured amount of Expel Turf Herbicide, then pour in the remaining half of water. Shake the sprayer tank until solution has mixed. 

Step 2: Apply Expel Turf Herbicide

Once your product is thoroughly mixed, broadcast your solution evenly over the area.

When applied properly, affected weeds will yellow and begin to die. A follow-up application may be necessary if signs of recovery are observed.

A reapplication with Expel Turf Herbicide may be made after 35 days.

Prevention

Once wild violet has been eliminated from your property, you will need to implement some preventative measures which will ensure that this weed does not return. Here are some preventative measures we suggest taking to keep wild violets away:

• Wild violets are hardy plants, so the best way to prevent them from growing is to ensure your lawn stays healthy and ready to outcompete any weeds.
• Mow your grass at proper intervals to maintain a thick growing density. A lawn dense with taller trimmed grass is better able to choke out weeds and prevent them from establishing.
• Reduce the shade cast on your lawn by trimming overgrown shrubbery and tree branches, rake away leaf litter and pick up any debris, and employ a proper watering schedule to provide the local grass with enough water to strengthen its roots, but not so much that will encourage weeds. Many grasses require 1 inch of water every week. Apply the water all at once in the morning so it has time to seep into the ground without evaporating in the sun.

Key Takeaways

What is Wild Violet?

• Wild violet is a common weed that grows on properties and is hard to control manually and mechanically due to its underground rhizomes.

How to Get Rid of Wild Violets

• To treat growing wild violet, we recommend applying Expel Turf Herbicide.

Preventing Wild Violet Reinfestations

• Prevent wild violet by reducing shade, improving soil drainage and mowing on a high setting. Keep up with regular post-emergent applications with Exepl Turf Herbicide.