removing envasive garlic chives - Ask Extension
I have been digging out garlic chives from my garden space. Mainly they come as big clumps. A few of the root fragments fall off. My question is ar...
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removing envasive garlic chives #849619
Asked September 12, 2023, 12:39 PM EDT
I have been digging out garlic chives from my garden space. Mainly they come as big clumps. A few of the root fragments fall off. My question is are these small parts of the roots able to regrow and turn into more chives?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Iola,
Garlic chives can be hard to eliminate when they start to spread. Cut off the flower heads before they self-seed.
They will regrow from pieces of root. Try to get as much of the root out as possible with a trowel, and if you see a baby plant resprouting immediately dig it up.
If digging isn't working, you can use glyphosate. Follow the instructions on the label -- the label is the law -- and make sure you wet only the garlic chive leaves. Glyphosate will kill anything green.
It sounds like you already have a good start on this project. If you keep digging, I think you'll find many fewer plants around next year.
Good luck.
