Wild Onions

[garbage man]

Can anyone give me advice on this one? I do summer yard work for elderly people. I am not so much in it for the money but it helps. I want my work to look good. But I have recently noticed that Wild Onions have taken over one yard that I do. What can I use to get rid of these before they completely take over. They popped up this fall. I haven't used chemicals before and was wondreing what to use.

[Evan528]

trimec plus! it works great on onion grass. use a backpack sprayer with a wide tip and do the entire lawn.

[Metroman]

I HAVE HEARD THAT IF YOU CUT THEM ON TWO CERTAIN DATES IN MARCH THAT IT WILL KILL THEM. I THINK THAT ITS AROUND THE 20th AND 28th BUT DONT HOLD ME TO THAT. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THAT?

[garbage man]

I have never heard about the March mowing procedure, too late this season, but I will try it next year. I don't have a backpak sprayer but I will try with my 3 gallon sprayer. I have 4 of them for differing uses. Thanks Metroman and Evan528

[garbage man]

Sorry Metroman, for some odd reason I had lost a whole month. I was thinking that this was April. I better get out of the house more. I will try your advice.

[TheLawnRanger]

I've always been told that if you cut wild onions on Good Friday that they will die.That does not have any scientific foundation that I am aware of.<br>

[PLS]

Yep, they die till next fall when they sprout out again if you mow them. Wild onions are a cool season plant and only grow in the winter months. A recent study found that the Trimec herbicides work well on them. Best applied in March and will have to be applied next year also as they reappear, the second application in the second year will take care of the onion problem. Not and easy weed to get rid of.

[garbage man]

Thanks guys, I will try out the Trimec and see what happens. Will this herbicide hurt scrubs or roses? I am not up to snuff with herbacides, I use hot peppers to keep bugs out of my gardens, I am going to try garlic between the flowers this year.

[PLS]

Yes, Trimec will toast &quot;scrubs&quot; and roses. Read the label (all of it).

[HOMER]

Whatever you do, don't get it on them scrubs!<p>Homer

[Retro67]

It is illegal to apply pesticides for hire without a license. That being said, if you decide not to become licensed, do everyone a favor and read the label to whatever you use very closely. You can become licensed very easily, but the information you learn during licensing would answer the questions you have. Others advice to read the label is dead on. Whether you get certified or not, that label is your &quot;Bible.&quot; Good luck and I hope you just decide to hold off on spraying until you can get certified. Imagine the embarrassment of being caught and having to deal with the EPA, Department of Agriculture, etc. You would probably receive treatment similar to a common drug smuggler at that point. Just my thoughts.&lt;p&gt;John

[garbage man]

sorry PLS and Homer,, i meant to say &quot;shrubs&quot;.. but i understand your advice.

[PLS]

We knew what you meant, No problem. We were just funing with ya. No harm meant, Right Homer?

[HOMER]

We was funnuin, no harm no foul!!! For real though, when you are spraying a chemical, be very concious of the direction of the wind. The slightest breeze can carry the atomized particles to a &quot;keeper&quot; plant or shrub. Better to spray when there is no wind or very, very little.<p>I know a homeowner that applied granular herbicide to kill his weeds, label said not to get it close to azaleas!!!! Guess what...........no more azaleas. Same principle, different process.<p>Homer

[thelawnguy]

Anything that can be done this late in the season(northeast)? Just noticed today that they have reappeared in parts of my lawn, and wonder if anything would be effective on them with daytime temps in the 40's?

[GroundKprs]

Fall application is not very effective. Use a 2,4-D ester product when they are actively growing in the springtime. This can be very early in the season, and the wild onion (or garlic) will be controlled, but dandelions sprayed then will show no damage.

Will usually take 2-3 years to get a site completely cleaned up. Use fall observation to note where to watch next spring. If you wait 'til you see it on a client's property, you are often too late to get effective control.

[GarPA]

we have some newly mulched beds at curb line where we killed the grass and put mulch in....no plants there. Wild onions everywhere and nothing I;ve tried is killing them...including trimec. THese things are impossible this time of year...I'm about ready to pur 89 octane on them! any advice welcome

[Richard Martin]

Scotts Turf Builder Plus II crushes onions in my area. Lesco Dimension Weed & Feed also does a fine job.

[Curtis]

I've always used Three Way Esther from Lesco in temps under 50 , but I always add a little sticker for best results .Momentum for temps above 60 .

[leeslawncare]

i've used 3 way ester an drive .they work well.

[GarPA]

I'm out of 3 way ester...looks like a trip to Lesco today is called for..thanks guys

[Team Gopher]

Here is a quote from this site (http://www.gardenpower.com/ask/faqs.html).

"Q Help! My lawn is being invaded by wild onions, How can I get them out?

A Wild onion can be controlled with 2,4-D."

[Richard Martin]

Duh oh!