Do you have this pretty plant with lovely white flowers blooming in your woods, garden, compost pile or even lawn or garden? Look for it. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it.
It’s garlic mustard! It is a nonnative invasive plant from Europe that takes over, disturbs soil chemistry, and prevents the growth of native species, wildflowers, and other plants. This prevents diversity of species and destroys the ecosystem.
Why pull it?
It emits a chemical that can prevent native plants from growing and it is a threat to native plants and diversity. It goes to seed after it flowers, and spreads. It will be back and take over, if you don’t pull it.
Where is it? Everywhere.
I noted this plant in my compost pile. and even in my garden beds this year. It also seems to be growing in other places in the neighborhood. You may want to look around and see if you have some, and pull it.
When to Pull it? Now!
It’s best to pull it while it is flowering and before it goes to seed. It is easy to pull now. It is better to pull than mow so it will be less likely to grow back. It took me about five minutes to clear my compost pile.
How to pull it?
At the base. Include the root. Pull the big ones and the little ones and the ones without flowers nearby.
What to do with it?
Dispose of it.
Put it in a black plastic bag and put the bag in the sun for five days, which cooks and kills any seeds. You can then dispose of it in the trash. Or you can bring invasive plants to the Acton transfer station in black bags. Check in and let the transfer station staff know you have garlic mustard or any other invasive plant. They will direct you to the area to bring the bags. They will burn it.
You must have a transfer station sticker. (If you don’t have one and don’t know someone who does, it is a great opportunity to buy one.)
Eat it – it is edible.
You can clean the leaves thoroughly and eat it. Recipes are available on the internet.
Learn about it.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides information online. Videos are helpful, such as this one from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources.
When to do? Need help? Want to help?
A good after school/ before school/ anytime activity.
Every plant counts!
Organize a Garlic Mustard Pull with your friends, neighbors, and family. Please pull now! It’s going to seed soon, and those seeds will spread next year! Save your gardens, our conservation areas, and the Acton Arboretum!
Pull before June 15th.
Thank you.