I noted that you are trying to eradicate garlic mustard (a very nice edible plant) from your park.

Isn't there some way you can allow people (who eat wild foods, such as myself) to "eradicate" it for you from the park?

There are many wild edible plants that can be used by hungry people (such as myself) and which can be "eradicated" for you for free.

Hello Linda,
Thank you very much for your message. It never occurred to me that garlic mustard might be beneficial in any way. I certainly have no objection to people harvesting it for food, and am glad of any assistance in ridding local parks of the stuff.

I just want to mention, though, that I am not working on my own to control this invasive species in my favorite park, but in cooperation with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation. I volunteered to stop the spread at Long Lake Park while it is still possible to control it, and am doing it with their permission. However, there are many other parks in Ramsey County that have widespread populations of the stuff. There is plenty of garlic mustard to go around, and no doubt will be for many years.

Harvesting garlic mustard as food does have to be done correctly to prevent spreading it any more than it already does. Let me know how I can help. And thanks again for writing

This plant is horrible. You can't possibly eat it all. It is taking over Crosby Park in St. Paul. In the last two years it has increased rapidly.

I am seeing it all over so I don't know how we can get rid of it all. I pulled three big garbage bags from the hill behind my home this spring and there was still more. I caught it while it was flowering but I know it will be back again next year.

I found this down by the marsh also known as Lake Martha, that is behind my house. Now that I know what it is im going to dig out what I can since its still in a pretty contained area. Hopefully it hasn't dropped many seeds yet.

It should be fairly easy to uproot without digging. The taproot isn't that long, unless it is a really large plant. It's been suggested that you might actually compost this stuff green in a plastic bag. Any seed that's already forming should just rot, as long as you keep it bagged long enough. Don't put it in the regular compost because that might not generate enough heat to kill the seed.

What I've been doing is pulling off any flowering parts, uprooting the flowering plants and just leaving the carcass on site, often draped over nearby buckthorn (it's good for something, anyway!). I've only bagged up any seed that was already forming and throwing that little bit in the trash. This has worked pretty well so far.

If you do leave uprooted plants on site, be sure to pull off any buds or flowers because it could still use stored up energy in the rest of the plant to create seed.

I just mowed down a thousand plants on my property. For recipes and cooking instructions: http://www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org/garlic07/index.html

A single plant (so far) under my apple tree.

I've been hand pulling garlic mustard on my 1-1/2 wooded acre lot and am just now getting ahead of it. Unfortunately, it is also on adjacent properties so will come back again and again. With a rainy spring and soft wet ground it has been very easy to pull.

I noticed a billboard on I-494 in Minnetonka that had a public service message to pull garlic mustard by June 28. Granted, it is easier to spot and pull in the spring when it is flowering but hopefully anytime before the seeds disperse is good.

We leave our property totally natural as a wooded setting with forest and wildflower clearings, and we back up to a wetland that is partially private and city owned.

Last spring I discovered a patch of garlic mustard in a small, wooded area in the middle of Brainerd and was thrilled since I was looking in a foraging sense (it cooked up wonderfully with the ostrich ferns I found nearby). I didn't realize how terribly invasive it is until later in the summer, so this coming year I will be quite a bit more aggressive in how I harvest it!

I discovered a couple small and one large patch two years ago in the ONP. Even where I know I pulled every plant last year before any fresh seed was laid down, a new carpet of them grows this spring. How long does the seed stay in the ground? I've been working with Oakdale Parks, BTW.

Mark, as I understand it, the seed bank lasts for at least 8 years. I've been pulling it at Long Lake park in Ramsey County since 2008, when I first spotted 3 small areas of infestation. In 1 location I haven't seen any seedlings in 2 years but it is still present in the other 2. It seems a bit more abundant this year than last, but has diminished from how I originally found it. Sometimes I do feel like it's a losing battle but then I think about what it would be like without this persistence. Keep the faith :)

I live near Normandale Park in Edina and there is a rather large and growing patch in the park behind my house. It has been rapidly spreading where the Buckthorn was removed. There are hundreds and maybe thousands of plants. It is even starting to invade my yard in the garden areas. I first noticed it a couple of years ago, but I only recently realized what it is and will try to pull as much as possible this spring before it flowers.

Saw a couple of these in Praire Creek SNA today. Not a lot, and in just one area...

I saw the first garlic mustard in my yard 3 years ago and have been pulling it in the spring ever since but it is spreading every year. Birds must transfer the seed. It's a losing battle to control this plant except in small yards with dedicated annual pulling. Public and private woodlands in my city are infested beyond hope of control with both garlic mustard and buckthorn. I fear many native Minnesota plants and the animals that depend on them are headed the way of the Dodo bird. So sad!

Is there an organized effort I can join to help with eradicating this in Olmsted County?

Patti, Prairie Smoke, a former chapter of Prairie Enthusiasts, may be the group you want to contact. An address for them is http://www.prairiesmokemn.org/ Good luck!

I was wondering if there is any groups in Hennepin or Ramsey county that eradicate invasive species, that i could join / take part in, it would be a good way to learn what type of plants are invasive.

Chuck, you could might the county Parks and Rec department for further information.

Chuck, the National Park Service has a crews of volunteers that meet every Tuesday evening and Thursday morning at Coldwater Spring. They focus on whatever plant is coming up. In April and May it is mostly garlic mustard and motherwort. They will teach you plant ID and removal techniques. To find out more, go to http://parkconnection.org/support/volunteer/ You will learn invasives so well, you'll see them everywhere.

I first noticed this weed in my yard 4 years ago and hired a neighbor boy to pull it. Unfortunately the following year it started spreading to the rest of my one acre wooded lot. Every year I pull what I can by hand but last year there was so much that I resorted to using Roundup which worked like a charm. This year the second year plants are growing all over. I filled 3 large garbage bags in 1.5 hours and still have more to pull. Fortunately I have someone coming by to help me. The weed has not returned in the area where I used Roundup last year. Not sure if that's a temporary thing. I don't like using the stuff but felt quite overwhelmed by this weed. My neighbors don't understand the importance of pulling it - just let your woods grow naturally they say. In addition to what I have on my property, its coming down the hill from two neighbors properties so I'll probably be dealing with it for many years. At least I have the buckthorn under control ...

Norma, Round-up will have limited effect on garlic mustard because it's designed to kill perennials, where garlic mustard is biennial. You'd probably get the same effect using dandelion spray, and avoid killing off whatever native perennials might still be in the area. Your biggest problem is really the seed bank, which Round-up doesn't touch. Pulling up new garlic mustard rosettes and preventing flowering plants from producing seed is your best defense.

I spent some time this weekend in Swede Hollow park, which is absolutely infested with garlic mustard. On the day of my visit (May 24th 2016), Many of the garlic mustard had already started blooming, so it looks like the seed bank is going to be replenished before this population can be eradicated.

I was researching this plant because I found two patches in my yard and couldn't identify it as a Wisconsin plant. If this is an evasive species, I will probably do my best to dig it up. Any other suggestions? Thank you!

I have a single plant of this in one of my small flower gardens. Loved the leaves, but now after reading everything written here, I will be removing it. Just last year had a 9ft tall giant ragweed plant in the same small garden but on the opposite side. Thankfully didn't come back this year, as I was allergic to it. I was looking at the map though and noticed crow wing county isn't on there for the distribution of this garlic mustard plant. I'm staring at it in front of me...

I live just "downstream" from Long Lake along Rice Creek, and was heartened to see I'm not the only one "out there" fighting invasives every week. I've been fighting a battle with Both Garlic Mustard and Buckthorn, but being just one person, I've just been able to slowly eradicate both from an area of about 2 acres... a tiny refugium, but one where native flowers are returning! I teach geography (largely environmental science) at MCTC (Minneapolis Community and Technical College) downtown, however, and am hoping to partner with Anoka County Parks and others to widen the scale of restoration. Every semester I have a small army of between 100 and 150 students, most of whom care deeply about making a difference. For now, our field trips have just included the identification of invasive species, but I also make a point to EAT garlic mustard and let the students try it as well. Some gather more to take home for salads! Advice? Contacts?

Jerry, try contacting the Natural Resources Manager at the applicable County Parks & Rec. Dept. They'll probably love having help with invasive species removal.

There is quite a bit of garlic mustard on one of my neighbor's property, and I'm concerned that it will take over his beautiful woods. Regarding the seed bank, does anyone know if crabgrass preventer would kill them as they germinate? If it worked, it might be a good tool.

Flandrau State Park badly infested with garlic mustard. Spreading along trails by mowing. Spreading into City of New Ulm by deer. Spreading downstream along the banks of the Cottonwood River. I'm on my second year of trying to control some of it by a variety of methods. Its really devastating spring wildflower populations. It is quickly expanding its range. In my opinion this is the #1 worse terrestrial invasive plant in Minnesota and not enough is being done to control it. One plant allowed to mature produces 300-3000 seeds! The key is not to allow small populations to produce seeds.

Edenbrook Conservation Area has a serious garlic mustard invasion. There should be events/gatherings just to pull the stuff.

City of Edina allowed this and many other invasives to utterly destroy Pamela Park. There are now almost no native plants left. How do I get permission to uproot invasive plants on City property?

Ellen, contact the city Parks and Rec department. Chances are they don't have the resources to manage it all themselves and would love to have volunteers help with invasive species.

Bison Creek Park in Coon Rapids is completely overrun with garlic mustard, so much so that it actually smells like garlic as you stroll through the park.

Unfortunately this is in blue earth county.

So much work being done here to restore the area to it's natural habitat. But I think I spotted this bad boy enjoying it's freedom to grow!

This is everywhere in EP and I've actually seen it take over the local parks and paths since I moved in five years ago. I diligently clear seedlings from my property every spring but I'm backed up against a city park and it just floods in from every side....along with thistles and nettles and buckthorn. My neighbors do nothing. I don't think many of them even know what's going on back there.

This plant is very prolific in the wilder part of the park, across the road from the lake.

This plant is all over North Oaks. I noticed a small patch growing in the ditch by our house a few years ago and tried to eradicate it by pulling it. It keeps coming back. This is a lot harder to get rid of than buckthorn in my opinion.

Is it safe for cats if they eat it?

Monophagous weevil finally approved by USDA's TAG group after 30 years. Not going to be available any time soon. Says Roger Becker, there's a parasite infecting ~20% of the weevils in native range (Germany). He's asking for more funding and time. Also, monophagous wasp that eats invasive yellow aphid that harms milkweeds. No company sells it. No taxes going toward it. Also, plant contains cyanide glycosides and made me sick after cooking and eating.

I'm battling this stuff on my few acres of wooded property as well. After getting it down to scattered small groups of 2nd year growth, at least this year, which I hand picked I'm now flaming 1st year rosettes. As long it has just rained, it seems fairly safe and effective. See "Red Dragon" propane torches seems to be the most established brand but there are others too.

echoing the above comment, this plant's weakness is fire in the 1st year. Hand pull flowering/seeding adults and bag, and torch the rosettes. Many native plants are fire-resistant and even if burned will come back. Never give up, never surrender.

We just found 3 of these in our raised flower bed in the backyard in The middle of town. Nicollet County.

The rate of infestation with this persistent irritating invasive would be impressive if not for the enormity of the serious problem it is growing. As such, it is nothing but a nasty pest that will challenge anyone willing to attempt ridding it from an area. If you encounter this plant, PLEASE PULL IMMEDIATELY! First noticed it in the wooded portion of the yard few years back but was unaware of the danger it brings along so was not too adamant about removal. That was my first mistake as each year it gets thicker and bolder and takes much more effort to keep it out of the way. Only problem for me in handling it is the obnoxious itching it inflicts, I hate to think what might happen if I was to eat any. Unfortunately, looks like this is going to be the land version of Eurasian milfoil, only worse. I did happen to notice several smaller Bumble-type bees visiting the small blossoms on a patch I just uprooted a week ago...hope it doesn't become so valuable as a species important for pollinator support/survival.

Brent, the plants garlic mustard displace are far more important for pollinator support/survival. A garlic mustard monoculture is not beneficial. Diversity matters.

I have been killing this plant everywhere I find it in the Park, for 20 year, spraying in the spring and pulling or cutting blooming/seeding plants in June, and spraying again in the fall. Each plant makes a thousand new plants. Leave one plant and the battle is nearly lost. I would LOVE to be part of a community program that seeks/destroys both garlic mustard and buckthorn. Both of these plants inhibit the growth of natives. Nothing (not even insects) eat either of these. I'd much rather see native ferns, Jack-in-the=pulpit, meadow rue, etc than masses(!) of these forest-killers. Any luck in getting on a "list?"

Sandra, the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area is always looking for volunteers. See their web page or better yet, send them a message on their Facebook page.

There are lots of garlic mustard plants along the paths in Veterans Park here in Richfield. (I didn't know what they were until I found the photos and description on this site.)

Massively invasive in the entire park.

Our wooded roads are lined with mixture of Wood Nettle and Garlic Mustard! As though the Nettle defends the garlic. The stingers on the nettle are a terrible nuisance. Far worse than a mosquito bite. They get me right through the gloves.

I thought the plants were attractive and allowed them to grow along the edge of our wooded yard. I will definitely uproot them now before they become invasive.

There is a huge patch that is expanding into neighboring yards and woods on west Hodgson Road, south of White Birch Drive in Shoreview.

We have this growing all over our backyard along the woods at the base of Memorial Bluff in Red Wing, MN. This was not here when we moved in 23 years ago. Sadly, it has choked out many of our other pretty wildflowers that used to grow here.

We live at the base of Sugarloaf rock (used to be a bluff until quarried at the turn of the 20th century). Although our backyard is a southern exposure, it was heavily shaded by buckthorn and black locust. We inherited an abandoned garden that probably contained nearly every upland invasive species on your list - including a massive carpet of garlic mustard. We've been restoring the garden over the last 8 years, and constant vigilance and a propane wand torch is all we've found to hold it at bay. One year of slack and all is lost! Control with the torch is very effective in april-may, and no poison required. They die and don't seed. In the past, I've mowed them and they'll still flower and seed at 1" height. I use the fresh spring leaves in salads and dry some as seasoning. 1% of its annual biomass from my yard will produce many years worth of seasoning (use like parsley on steroids). So, in my opinion unless a "wild forager" eats more than a herd of cows daily, one will not control it by eating it.

*sigh* What don't I have in my yard? Thanks former owners. I pull the ones I can and have sprayed some. Will probably never be rid of it. The neighbor's yard is almost completely garlic mustard and I shudder when I look at it. It's pretty...but that's too trick you. Don't be fooled.

I have never seen this plant/flower in my yard before this year. It is EVERYWHERE! I just started pulling them up, but they are still very small. I just can't understand where they came from.

Sheila, seed is spread in a number of ways. Anyone walking in an infested area can pick up seed in their footwear, or dogs and other critters in their fur. Cars, bikes and ATVs traveling around infested areas can pick up seed in tire tread. Birds and other wildlife can transport seed as well. It doesn't matter so much how it got in your yard, but the key to stopping it is to make sure it produces no more seed. Keep in mind flowers can develop on plants just a couple inches tall. Be tenacious.

How long does the seed remain viable, and what is the best method of disposal?