Controlling Ground Ivy

**"* K* <i*@thisgardencooks.com>**

The Univ of Illinois Extension has a lawn care link:  

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/lawntalk/managing_ground_ivy_and_violets.cfm    They provide non-chemical methods: get down and pull it out.  I haven't had luck with that in the 24 years we've gardened and right now my neighbor's back lawn is a sea of blue flowers.  

Here's what U of I recommends besides pulling:  

Although control is difficult, existing ground ivy and violets can be treated with postemergence broadleaf herbicides in the period from mid spring to early summer and/or mid to late fall. Regardless of the time, make sure the weeds are actively growing. For ground ivy, suggested herbicides contain dicamba. Three-way broadleaf herbicide combinations (one product containing all three herbicides) that include 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid); mecoprop or MCPP (2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid); and dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) may provide the best control. Several of these three-way herbicides are available (Trimec, Three Way Lawn Weed Killer, etc.); check product labels for these active ingredients. Read and follow all label directions. Herbicides containing 2,4-DP or triclopyr may also be effective. For violets, broadleaf herbicides containing triclopyr are suggested. Professional turfgrass specialists available for hire may use products containing 2,
 4-DP or triclopyr. Refer to the Illinois Commercial Landscape & Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook for details on these herbicides.

Nina Koziol
www.thisgardencooks.com 
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