ALERT!
Have you been seeing purple pedals appearing around your lawn recently? We’ve all had those weeds that you’re tempted to keep around because of their beauty, but don’t be fooled by the innocent looks of the invasive Wild Violet. If left untreated, the Wild Violet can take root and become one of your turfs biggest predators. Although the Wild Violet wears a mask of beauty, once established, this weed will be invading your lawn for years…and years…and years. Break the cycle and cut your ties with the Wild Violet weed before its too late. Discovering how to identify it, manage it and eliminate it today.
TYPE
Wild Violet is a winter annual or perennial broadleaf weed that typically emerges in early spring and persists through the summer. It is particularly hardy, and tends to last an average of two growing seasons. This weed grows in clumps, with unchecked foliar growth topping out around 4-6 inches. Wild violet has a well-developed taproot which makes it more resistant to conventional herbicides than other common turf weeds.
HOW TO IDENTITY
Wild Violet consists of a network of rhizomes (horizontal running stems below the soil surface) that produce small, heart-shaped leaves with a shiny/waxy cuticle. Named after their flower’s intense violet color, its flowers can also be white or yellow. Each flower consists of 5 petals, and when fanned out, is roughly the same size as each leaf. These plants prefer cooler, shady habitats and are commonly found invading turf near forest and garden borders.
WHERE IT GROW
Wild violet is most commonly found on forest floors which receive filtered sunlight, but is well adapted to a variety of turf climates. These plants prefer cooler, shady habitats and usually persist in areas where managed turf meets a forest line, tree line, or garden border.
GROWING SEASON
With leaves emerging as early as March, flowers typically emerge by mid-May and continue blooming throughout the summer. Its well established tap root and waxy cuticle help defend against late spring frosts.
HOW TO MANAGE
Wild violet typically takes several growing seasons to establish, and once it does, it is one of the most difficult weeds to eliminate. While pre-emergent control is effective against germinating seeds, post-emergent control is necessary to eliminate well-established patches of these weeds. Wild violet is particularly resistant to single applications of foliar herbicides due to its thick, waxy cuticle, therefore multiple applications may be necessary to kill it. The use of ‘spreader sticker’ products may enhance the herbicide’s ability to adhere to the leaves. It has been well established that while spring and summer herbicide applications will kill the leaves, the plant will simply grow back again the following spring. Because of its well-established tap root and complex rhizome network, the best time to apply herbicides is late summer/early fall, when the plant is transporting sugars from the leaves to the roots. A number of broad spectrum post-emergent herbicides
in conjunction with multiple timely applications are effective against wild violet.
Overall, the best prevention method for wild violet and any invasive weed is to maintain healthy, dense turf with a strong root system by adopting a regular lawn care routine including fertilization, soil amendments, proper mowing
and watering
as well as aeration
and thatch management
practices.
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service
to find a distributor near you.
References:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/violet/kill-wild-violets.htm
http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds/wild-violet
http://byf.unl.edu/wild-violet-control
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.