Dear Sven,

Please can you advise me what to do with wild violets in my lawn. They are strangling my grass I have tried weed and feed but to no avail. I am frightened to use anything stronger in case it destroys my lawn altogether.
Thanks
Pepsi79


Our Gardens Expert replies:

Hi Pepsi79

Wild Violets are extremely difficult to eradicate, especially in lawns. My garden is full of the stuff so I have decided simply let it grow freely and to enjoy it whilst it flowers! (THE LAZY OPTION!) But in all seriousness you will have to literally pull up and remove any leaves that you can find and just keep at it. The best method is to dig out as much of the root system as possible, in a lawn you could try using a sharp knife and cutting out as much of the root as you can and then pull them out. You could also spray them with a systemic weed killer that will enter the plant through its leaves; then through transpiration be drawn into the root system where it attacks and eventually kills the plant…..not easy in a lawn though because it will kill the surrounding grass too.

Sorry not to be more helpful.

All the best
Sven