Garlic Mustard Stinks!

It’s usually one of the first plants to spring up in our gardens. The bright green shoots from garlic mustard start poking up this time of year. Normally a fast growing, hearty plant with bright green leaves and little white flowers, that needs no special attention to thrive, would be a welcome addition to the garden but unfortunately garlic mustard is an unwelcome bully. It easily outcompetes native plants for moisture and nutrients. The roots also release chemicals inhibiting the growth of trees.

By the time native wild flowers are ready to sprout garlic mustard has taken over.

That’s why there’s a push on from Township of Woolwich Environmental Committee (TWEEC) and others to remove the invader and give other species a chance.

Luckily it can be controlled and is fairly easy to pull out in early spring before seed development on the plant. It can still come back the next year, which is why it’s often 2-5 years to fully eradicate the plant. If you’re wondering if it’s garlic mustard, simply crush the leaves between your fingers, the plant will give off a pungent garlic smell. It is actually edible (one of the reasons it was introduced) especially when it’s young.

The leaves of the plant are heart shaped with toothed edges. The flowers are tiny white with four petals.

Fortunately, the forest floor will start to balance once the garlic mustard has been eradicated. The native plants will return to be enjoyed both by humans and our insect friends who rely on them for their survival.

TWEEC will be hosting two invasive garlic mustard pulls, May 11 in the afternoon in Victoria Glen, Southpark Woods, the Elmira Nature Reserve and along the Health Valley Trail in St. Jacobs. Volunteers are welcome and needed for these projects. If you are interested, please contact Ann Roberts aroberts@woolwich.ca Check out TWEEC at www.healthywoolwich.org

Watch next week for how to eliminate this pest.