Wild garlic is a perennial plant that produces underground and aerial bulblets. The leaves are hollow, nearly round, and attached to the lower half of the stem. The aerial bulblets of wild garlic contaminate harvested small grains, especially wheat. Price dockage for garlictainted grain can be substantial, depending on the degree of contamination. Wild garlic can also cause offflavor in milk from animals grazing infested pastures. Wild garlic is found throughout Ohio, but creates the most problems in the wheatgrowing areas of the state.
Wheat. Postemergence application of Harmony Extra or Harmony GT (0.5 to 0.6 ounce/A) in the spring provides good to excellent control. Apply with surfactant when wild garlic plants are less than 12 inches tall, with 2 to 4 inches of new growth. For best results, apply when wild garlic is actively growing under temperatures of 60 degrees or higher. Harmony Extra and Harmony GT can be applied using 28 percent nitrogen solution as the carrier, but surfactant recommendations may change. Refer to the label for more information on application in liquid fertilizer. Peak (1/4 to 1/2 ounce/A) is also labeled for control of garlic up to 8 inches tall. The higher rate provides more effective control of underground bulblets.
Postemergence application of Express (1/3 ounce/A) or 2,4D ester (1 1/2 to 2 pints/A) will prevent formation of the aerial bulblets of wild garlic, but will not control other parts of the plant. Express application is similar to that of Harmony products, with regard to wild garlic size. Apply 2,4D ester from midMarch to early April when the air temperatures are 60 degrees or higher.
Corn. Harmony Extra can be applied 45 or more days before planting to control wild garlic that is less than 12 inches tall. Atrazine at high rates will suppress wild garlic.
Soybeans. Wild garlic infestations in soybeans sometimes require control measures. Effective treatments include preplant application of Canopy XL (plus 2,4-D, if at least 7 days before planting) and postemergence application of Classic, Classic/Harmony GT combinations, or Synchrony STS. Harmony Extra can be applied 45 or more days before soybean planting for control of emerged wild garlic plants in early spring.
Back | Forward | Table of Contents
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868