Wild garlic and wild onion are similar in appearance, but while garlic has hollow tops, onion tops are flat; other non-native plants such as crocus and star-of-Bethlehem have a white stripe. Both wild garlic and wild onion appear in early spring in lawns and open areas; both can be removed in the same manner, and both are edible with recipes found online. Be sure to properly identify the plants, as similar-looking species are poisonous.

Dig and remove all the underground bulbs together when they appear, preferably after a rain while the ground is damp, using a leveraged dandelion hand weeder or, in a pinch, a large screwdriver.  For a greater number of bulbs, use a wider tool, such as a trowel or even a small crowbar. The best time of year to uproot them is mid-April through early May, following April showers, and again in early June when the upright tops are tall. This is when the bulbs are easily uprooted by hand, grabbing and pulling them up at the ground. Click here for more information on uprooting wild garlic.

Keep in mind that wild garlic bulbs can persist dormant in the soil for up to 6 years, and nothing sprayed above ground can kill dormant bulbs beneath the soil surface. Since any bulbs left on the ground may grow, it is important to solarize them in clear bags, allowing them to cook for several weeks in full sun before disposal to ensure they can’t regrow. Persistent management for at least 3 or 4 years is necessary to obtain complete control.