How do I get rid of this weed? - Ask Extension
Photo of my weeds look like Wild grape.
http://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/weed/images/broadleaf/vining/WGrape1_600px.jpg
See photo below...
Knowledgebase
How do I get rid of this weed? #761277
Asked July 12, 2021, 12:31 PM EDT
Photo of my weeds look like Wild grape.
http://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/weed/images/broadleaf/vining/WGrape1_600px.jpg
See photo below. It is only on the north side of my house in an unused area that gets no sun at all. About 24ft. I used a weed whacker this year so I could rake them up then realized they have a dense root( see photo) almost like a ginger root, and very strong, long, thin vines under the dirt. Never had them until summer of 2020 and that year I just ignored them. Couldn’t mow them because of riding mower size. They grew to about 8” tall. If a chemical weed control needs to be used I am concerned because neighbors have a dog and can’t use anything poisonous. They are not vining up the chain link fence that separates our yards.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
See photo below. It is only on the north side of my house in an unused area that gets no sun at all. About 24ft. I used a weed whacker this year so I could rake them up then realized they have a dense root( see photo) almost like a ginger root, and very strong, long, thin vines under the dirt. Never had them until summer of 2020 and that year I just ignored them. Couldn’t mow them because of riding mower size. They grew to about 8” tall. If a chemical weed control needs to be used I am concerned because neighbors have a dog and can’t use anything poisonous. They are not vining up the chain link fence that separates our yards.
Hello, happy to help.
No, they won't vine up a fence but they do have those big rhizomatic roots. It's called a common blue violet or wild violet. You'll need to dig them up if you are averse to using an herbicide. There are safe measures to take when applying herbicides including the best time of year which is either early spring or early fall and time of day which is late when most pollinators have split for home for the day.
Here is more information about wild violet with a link to more information about how to control them. Not all further links say this but we strongly recommend reading and following the label on any product you use. The labels contain information about safe usage. Also labels on the products are more up to date than labels found online.
One of the recommendations for control is to dig and pull it up. I recommend finding another ground cover to take its place so that you don't get more later. Also, if you don't get the entire root, it's possible that the leftover root could start a new plant.
Good-luck!
No, they won't vine up a fence but they do have those big rhizomatic roots. It's called a common blue violet or wild violet. You'll need to dig them up if you are averse to using an herbicide. There are safe measures to take when applying herbicides including the best time of year which is either early spring or early fall and time of day which is late when most pollinators have split for home for the day.
Here is more information about wild violet with a link to more information about how to control them. Not all further links say this but we strongly recommend reading and following the label on any product you use. The labels contain information about safe usage. Also labels on the products are more up to date than labels found online.
One of the recommendations for control is to dig and pull it up. I recommend finding another ground cover to take its place so that you don't get more later. Also, if you don't get the entire root, it's possible that the leftover root could start a new plant.
Good-luck!
