RADIO TRANSCRIPT
Agent:  Donna Teasley
Date:  October 18, 2021

Hello, this is Donn Teasley, Horticulture Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.

October is a great time to start working on next year’s weeds. Winter annual weeds are starting to appear and now is the time to begin spraying them but the prime target for October is wild onion and wild garlic. These pesky weeds stick out like a sore thumb in an otherwise neat and orderly lawn. They stretch above the grass and wave their long narrow blades as if to mock the frustrated homeowner who thought he already got rid of them.

They’re tricky but not unbeatable. It’s all about timing. One application of herbicide won’t do the trick and the time of year is important too. Use a product containing 2,4-d such as Weed b Gon. Apply in October and again in March. It takes 2 applications to get rid of wild onion and garlic. It also helps to mow the day before applying so that the weed killer can get in to the plant tissues through the open cuts on the leaf blades. Then refrain from mowing for about a week.

October and March are the 2 months when this weed is at its most susceptible point so take advantage of it. As a bonus the October application of 2,4-D will also take care of many winter annual weeds.

This is Donna Teasley with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center. If you would like more information about this program you can call us at 764-9480.