Q.Help with red raspberries
My red raspberries are being taken over by johnny jump-ups {Viola tricolor}. Is there anything I can use to get rid of them without harming the raspberries? Thank you for your time!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Hand removal, hoeing on the surface, and placing mulch around your raspberries to smother weeds are the best ways to control this infestation.
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2004/7-2-2004/raspberries.html
It is difficult to use herbicides to control Viola tricolor among raspberries- both are broadleaf plants, and are susceptible to the same types of herbicides. It may be possible to use spot treatments of glyphosate, but there is a risk that they will harm the raspberry plants.
I know this problem well, I only planted Johnny Jump Ups once, 7 years ago!
The good news is they will not harm your Raspberry plants. You can easily pull up the little plants and doing so before they go to seed will help keep them in control.
This is the safe method to remove weeds.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/violet/johnny-jump-up-flowers.htm
