Killing Garlic Mustard Learn About Garlic Mustard Management

When infestations are small, hand-pulling plants is the best way of killing garlic mustard. Pull plants early in the season before they flower. Also, pull plants, being sure to get as much root as possible, while the garlic mustard weeds are small and the soil is wet.

How do you manage garlic mustard?
Can you compost garlic mustard?
How do you spray garlic mustard?
Should you burn garlic mustard?
How do I get rid of invasive garlic mustard?
Why is garlic mustard a problem?
How did Garlic Mustard get here?
What can I use to substitute garlic mustard?
What is garlic mustard good for?
What chemical does garlic mustard release?
What animals eat garlic mustard?
Is Garlic Mustard safe to eat?

How do you manage garlic mustard?

In medium to large sized infestations, a combination of hand pulling, cutting or localized herbicide treatment is appropriate for managing garlic mustard. First, an aggressive effort at hand pulling all newly established or "satellite" infestations is recommended to limit garlic mustard's spread.

Can you compost garlic mustard?

Bag the garlic mustard and label, “Garlic Mustard – Prohibited Noxious Weed – DO NOT COMPOST”. Place a courtesy call to your garbage hauler advising them this bag must be placed in a landfill and NOT composted.

How do you spray garlic mustard?

To control garlic mustard in the lawn, use Ortho® WeedClear™ Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray. The best time to apply is in early spring before the plants flower or late fall. Garlic mustard likes to grow near bodies of water. Take steps not to get your control products in the water when you apply them.

Should you burn garlic mustard?

To burn collected plants, burn them while still moist, because dried garlic mustard seedpods can burst open and spread the seed. If you use an herbicide, spray early in spring or late in fall, because our native plants are dormant at these times, but garlic mustard is still green and vulnerable to sprays.

How do I get rid of invasive garlic mustard?

It's best initially to pull during flowering, before the plants produce seed. Pull at the base of the plant and try to remove the entire root. Pulled garlic mustard material will still complete flowering and set seed – do not leave it on the ground! Be sure to bag and dispose of pulled plants as garbage.

Why is garlic mustard a problem?

Garlic mustard has become Portland's poster child for plants that overwhelm the landscape by seeding: a single plant can make hundreds of small seeds. In addition, the roots of garlic mustard are thought to produce a toxin that kills soil fungi many plants depend on. ...

How did Garlic Mustard get here?

Garlic mustard may have been brought to North America for use as a cooking herb, although it is also possible that seeds were accidentally introduced from Europe. The first record of garlic mustard in the United States is from Long Island, NY, in 1868. Since then, humans and animals have spread it across North America.

What can I use to substitute garlic mustard?

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) does a great job of covering a shady area with its wide, thick leaves. It sticks very close to the ground, making it easy to plant other taller plants into it. Anecdotal evidence suggests it may even out-compete garlic mustard without assistance!

What is garlic mustard good for?

Originally from Europe, this nutritious plant is found in many locations across North America. The flower of this wild edible only appears from May to June. Garlic Mustard is good for your weight, heart, lowers cholesterol, may help prevent cancer, as well as many other health benefits.

What chemical does garlic mustard release?

[Dentaria] diphylla, which produce the chemical attractant sinigrin. This compound is also present in garlic mustard.

What animals eat garlic mustard?

White-tailed deer assist in its spread by eating native plant species that they prefer and are adapted to eat, leaving the garlic mustard behind.

Is Garlic Mustard safe to eat?

Garlic mustard is edible and should be harvested when young. The roots taste much like horseradish and the leaves are bitter when mature. ... The second-year plant can be eaten from early to mid-spring, before the tender shoots harden and while new leaves are available. The seeds are excellent in spicy food.