Garlic mustard was introduced here in the 1860's. Today it is one of the greatest threats to natural habitats. You can recognize garlic mustard by its toothed, heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. When you crush the leaves, they smell like garlic.
Somebody really messed up with garlic mustard. The plant was introduced here in the 1860's for food and medicine. Today, it's the dominant plant on the forest floor in the eastern part of the country. Garlic mustard is listed as a noxious (harmful) weed in every state where it's found. It has spread as far west as Kansas, taking over native habitat. Deer don't like to eat it, so they over-graze on native plants, and open up more space for the weed. It's also toxic to rare butterflies. You'll see it under trees, along fences, and in the shadows of bushes.
For individual plants or small areas, you can yank them out if the soil is damp. Grab the plant near the base and pull gently until the main root comes out. If root fragments stay in the ground, they can grow back. Don't leave pulled plants on the site, as they may have seeds on them.
If you have a lot of garlic mustard, hand-pulling may take too long. But you're in luck. Since garlic mustard is a broad-leafed weed, you have some effective options available, such as Ortho® Weed B Gon MAX® Weed Killer For Lawns or Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer. They both work their way down to the root of the plant. Be sure to shield desirable plants when you spray, or else you might damage them.
Garlic mustard likes to grow near bodies of water. Take steps not to get your control products in the water when you apply them. Hand-pull the plants closest to water, and spray the others.
Garlic mustard seeds can live in the ground for five years. They tend to crop up near the parent plant. If you've removed garlic mustard in an area, be on the lookout for new plants that may try to sneak back.
Garlic mustard was introduced here in the 1860's. Today it is one of the greatest threats to natural habitats. You can recognize garlic mustard by its toothed, heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. When you crush the leaves, they smell like garlic.
