Hi Michelle,

Thank you for your question.

Common Blue Violet, a.k.a Wild Violet (Viola papilionacea)

Common Blue Violet, a.k.a Wild Violet (Viola papilionacea)

Solarization

Solarization is a method of using clear plastic to cover moistened soil for a few weeks.  This process creates a greenhouse effect that heats the soil's water molecules, trapping heat beneath the plastic. In dry climates, solarization typically takes about two to three weeks during the summer. The process is complete when the vegetation underneath the tarp is dead. Here are some steps for solarization:

1. Cover moistened soil with clear plastic
2. The heating rays from the sun will pass through the sheet and be trapped to heat the soil below
3. The process is complete when the vegetation underneath the tarp is dead

Clear plastic is generally more effective than black plastic because it traps heat rather than absorbing and deflecting it. 

1. Cover moistened soil with clear plastic
2. The heating rays from the sun will pass through the sheet and be trapped to heat the soil below
3. The process is complete when the vegetation underneath the tarp is dead

Here are some other ways to control wild violets:

• Use a broadleaf killer that contains 2,4-D or dicamba
• Use quinclorac, another wild violet herbicide
• Apply triclopyr brush killer
• Reduce shade
• Improve soil drainage
• Hand dig if there are just a few clumps
• Fully remove all rhizomes

Here is a link that may be helpful too: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/weed/idlist.html#CBViolet

A few notes:

Remove all plants that you would like to keep as the above methods could kill them.  

READ ALL LABELS carefully and follow label directions.

Please reach back if you have any further questions.