Question
Please help.  This year I need to stop them.  They are taking over my yard, ground ivy and violets are slowly (not too slowly) encroaching the backyard.

What do you suggest besides pulling, which I have done plenty of over the years.

Thank you,
Dave

Answer
Dave, are these things invading your lawn and do you like your lawn?  

Solarization, or at least a shortened version, will do the trick, especially in the current heat wave - water the area to be treated and then cover with clear or black plastic and hold down with rocks; in 2 weeks to 2 months you will destroy all life underneath while leaving no unhealthy residue and no guilty conscience to keep you up at night.  It will however kill most if not all of your grass.

You can also spot treat with horticultural grade vinegar or even boiling water.

The Ivy has to be pulled persistently.  Once you get up to speed, you can control it and I do think that eventually it would be eliminated this way.  If you are diligent.

Let me know about the companion flora - like grass - and how you feel about killing it to delete unwanted stuff in your garden.