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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
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.
Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers, We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC. We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark Mangan President Turf Care Supply, LLC
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.