Controlling Wild Garlic & Onion in Your Lawn

Growing garlic and onion in your home garden makes your homemade food taste all the better. However, garlic and onion growing wild in your lawn is not at all pleasant.

Wild garlic and wild onion are winter perennials. From Glenside to Collegeville, 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.

Both are commonly found in lawns across the United States and do well in heavy or wet soil. These tough weeds can withstand cold, heat and drought, and can spread rapidly if left uncontrolled.  

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

With a small number of weeds, pulling, though difficult, is an option. It's likely, however, that bulbs will be left in the ground and new leaves will later re-emerge. For best results, dig them out with a thin trowel and make sure you remove the entire bulb. 

Mowing will not kill wild garlic or wild onions. However, regular mowing can weaken plants and prevent them from setting seed.

The most effective way to prevent weeds such as wild garlic and wild onion from overtaking your lawn is to keep your lawn in top condition. A thick, healthy lawn and strong root system is better able to fight off weeds and keep them from establishing a presence.