Call now for an exclusive offer! (256) 461-6909

Weed of the Month — Wild Onions

Wild garlic (Allium vineale) and wild onion (Allium canadense) are winter perennials weeds. They emerge in late fall from underground bulbs and grow through the winter and spring. In late spring, aerial bulblets are formed and the plants die back in early summer. The underground bulbs can persist in the soil for several years. While both have thin, green, waxy leaves, those of wild garlic are round and hollow, while those of wild onion are flat and solid. Wild onion and wild garlic are very common lawn weeds. Fortunately, there are easy solutions for controlling them. With a small number of weeds, pulling, though difficult, is an option. It’s likely, however, that bulbs or bulblets will be left in the ground and new leaves will later re-emerge. For best results, dig them out with a thin trowel.

Unfortunately, there are no preemergence herbicides that will control wild onion or wild garlic. They must be treated with a postemergence herbicide after they emerged from the soil. One characteristic that makes control difficult is that both have a thin, glossy leaf to which herbicides don’t readily adhere. Unlike most weeds, mowing wild garlic or wild onion immediately before applying an herbicide may improve uptake. After application, do not mow for at least two weeks.

If you have weeds in your lawn call TDI for a free service call to have your technician come and resolve the weeds.