Homeowners with turf grasses such as Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, Bahia grass, Centipede grass, and St. Augustine grass will sometimes battle wild onions/wild garlic – winter weed on their property as well as dandelion, clover, plantains, and other broadleaf weeds. With the correct application of postemergence herbicides we are able to eliminate these winter weeds from your lawn.
Postemergence herbicides target visible weeds. They are used primarily against broadleaf weeds, perennial grasses, and sedges. The chemicals 2,4-D, dicamba, carfentrazone, triclopyr, clorpyralid, MCPP and MCPA are broadleaf herbicides. They have been combined in many products that control broadleaf weeds. Most broadleaf weeds are best treated in the spring or fall when air temperatures are between 65 and 85° F. Turf damage is more likely in hotter temperatures. To reach and maintain acceptable control, repeat applications are required 10 to 14 days apart.
Effective weed control of wild onions/wild garlic – winter weed begins with proper management practices, which encourage a dense and healthy turf. A healthy turf shades the soil so that less sunlight reaches the ready-to-germinate weed seeds. A thick turf minimizes the space available for weeds to become established. Proper management practices include mowing, watering, fertilizing and liming.
Even when cultural practices are heeded, wild onions/wild garlic – winter weed may appear. If the number of weeds reaches an unacceptable level and pulling by hand is out of the question, you may want to turn to herbicides. Three-way broadleaf herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba and mecoprop (MCPP) will provide control of wild garlic and wild onion with repeat applications. Examples of these products are Bayer Advanced Southern Weed Killer for Lawns, Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns – for Southern Lawns, and Ferti-lome Weed-Out Lawn Weed Killer. These products can be purchased in relatively small quantities for use by the homeowner. It is also important to use a non-ionic surfactant (as described on the herbicide product label) to improve transfer of the herbicide into the weeds. Spray wild garlic and wild onion in November and again in late winter or early spring. Improved results will be obtained by spraying immediately after mowing the onion/wild garlic weeds. Alternatively you may wish to damage the smooth surface of the weed stalks by pulling an old weathered 2 X 6 board across the weeds and walking on the stalks to improve adhesion of the mixture to the weed surface. If at this point the project appears to be too elaborate for you as a homeowner to attempt, it is important to call in professionals like us who are in the lawn care and maintenance business.
Homeowners wishing to maintain the quality look and lifespan of their lawn take advantage of our Ocean Isle Beach lawn care services. Our lawn care services include chemical application and aerating to the lawn . On those areas of your landscape where it’s been difficult to grow any grass, we can help. If your property has gotten out of control we can help you clean it up. We can remove large overgrown shrubs, dead trees or gardens and either set you up with our landscape design services or sod the areas over if you wish.
