Garlic Mustard

Impacts on Forests

Out competes many tree seedlings and other native vegetation

Adversely affects native insects

Control Methods

HAND PULLING

If plants are pulled or dug before budding begins, they may be scattered about the area to dry out, preferably off the ground. Do not put pulled plants in piles where roots may stay moist and development can continue.

Once flowering has begun, all plants must be bagged. Garlic mustard seeds can still ripen after plants are uprooted!

DO NOT compost garlic mustard. Few compost piles produce enough heat to destroy all garlic mustard seeds.

To send bagged plants to landfill, label the bags as ‘invasive Plants’ - approved by DNR for landfilling.

Cutting

Cutting plants a few inches above the soil surface just after the flower stalks have elongated but before the flowers have opened can be effective in preventing seed production and may kill garlic mustard plants. However, some plants may send out new flower stalks that require additional cutting.

Preventing Further Spread

When you find an infestation, remove plants that are producing seed first, working from the least infested to the most infested area.

First - Year Plant

Garlic mustard is a biennial; it has a two-year life cycle. Seeds germinate in April.

Second - Year Plant

Flowers: Small (1/4 inch), white, 4 petals, on the end of the main stem and side branches, blooms April through June.

Leaves: Heart-shaped to triangular, 1-3 inches wide, coarsely soothes on the edges, alternate on the stem, give off a garlic odor when crushed.

Height: Flowering stalks grow 1-4 feet tall.

Seeds: Seeds are small, produced in a row inside the capsule, and black when ripe. More than 100 seeds per plant.