How to get rid of violets?

My lawn in invested with violets which also grow under the berberis hedge. I know they look pretty in the right place but my lawn is not that place!! We are looking to returf and extend lawn so I need to know how to get rid of them once and for all. I've tried various lawn "feed and weed" type preparations but to no avail. Please help, sensible suggestions only please to this novice gardener.

 

You just need to mow them. Feed and weed and other poisons are useless at best and harmful at worst.

Grass is unique in that it grows new cells from the bottom up. All other plants including violets grow new cells at the top. So when you mow, you cut off the growing tips of everything except grass. Do it regularly and the violets will fade away and die.

 

Hornbeam is absolutely right - but if you know people who'd appreciate some of them, you could get them out with a bulb planter and hand fork, making sure you get all the roots, shake the excess soil back into the hole, and sprinkle grass seed on top.

I do the same thing with dandelions wherever possible, except that I rarely pass them on to friends! :rolleyes: :D

 

Hello and welcome to GC, Weedyblues.

I find this so sad as I love violets and can't seem to get them going here. I do see your problem however ... but then there's the lovely thought of a violet lawn instead of a camomile lawn!

Hope you enjoy the site!