Wild Garlic Mustard Plant

Question: Hello.  Have had other gardeners recently (including those on GrowWithKare11 facebook page), identify a plant we noticed last year on our hillside/yard, that is taking over the beautiful field grass we've grown accustomed to the last 30+ yrs. and slowly showing up elsewhere in our yard.  Majority all say it's Garlic Mustard.  Have no idea where it came from, but have been told to cut down before it flowers, get out at root if possible, but it's a long standing weed unfortunately.  Understand too it's edible, but a hillside of it, not appreciated. Many suggest Round Up applications for years.  Any other thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated!

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied April 30, 2024, 12:33 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing.   Getting rid of garlic mustard is difficult becuase seeds remain viable in the soil for 10 years. Pulling individual garlic mustard plants by hand is the simplest and most effective approach to managing small or isolated infestations. When pulling plants, it is important to remove the upper portion of the roots as well as the stem, since buds in the root crown can produce additional stems. All pulled plants should be removed from the site as seed ripening continues even after plants are pulled. Repeatedly hand pulling of garlic mustard is effective for control in small areas but has limitations because seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years. Therefore, it is important to pull all garlic mustard plants in an area every year until the seed bank is exhausted and seedlings no longer appear. This will require multiple efforts each year as rosettes can continue to bolt and produce flowers over an extended period (april-june).  HTTPS://WWW.CANR.MSU.EDU/IPM/INVASIVE_SPECIES/GARLIC_MUSTARD/MANAGEMENT_OPTIONS#:~:TEXT=IN%20MEDIUM%20TO%20LARGE%20SIZED,TO%20LIMIT%20GARLIC%20MUSTARD'S%20SPREAD.  You can solarize with clear plastic tarp, 2 mil thick.  put stones or logs to hold it down and let it sit for six weeks. After that, remove the tarp and top with 4 inches of wood mulch. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 01, 2024, 5:22 PM EDT
response: Here's a few questions please on same matter I have cut and pasted. In addition can plastic be black or is clear preferred? Anxiously await a reply! Regards, Josephine Baynton, dellwood, mn<personal data hidden>

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 01, 2024, 6:32 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back. A burn will kill surface plants but will not kill seeds that are deep in the soil and viable for 10 years. Round Up only kills plants that are actively growing.  Again, it does not kill seeds.  Immediately put pulled weeds in a bag and send to a dump--the seeds continue to ripen after the plant has been pulled.  As the resource on solarization that I sent you states, clear plastic is significantly more effective than black.  Another reference for you. https://extension.psu.edu/garlic-mustard

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 01, 2024, 7:53 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your input again, Steve! Will stick with clear tarp 2 ml at least after pulling. Don't wish to use hazardous chemicals and wondering if putting vinegar down before tarp would also help.  Thank you in advance! Josephine Baynton

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 01, 2024, 10:28 PM EDT
response: Vinegar has nothing to add unless your are mixing it with oil for a mustard green salad.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT
response: Ha ,ha.. seriously this is major coverage. I'f after everything we do following your guidelines, and six weeks later it's still just so-so, who do we contact for help? I'm already to quit after filling six large black garbage bags up a hill. Be glad to send you the site of what we're hoping to tackle but I'm starting to think this will be numerous times and too old to do every six weeks. We'll need professional help I'm sure. Any serious reply appreciated!!

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 03, 2024, 5:08 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back. I wish there was a magic bullet on this. You can hire a landscaper but I suggest that you wait a month because this is their peak month and the rates are highest. The U is not permitted to recommend specific private firms but you can get referrals from MetroBlooms.org

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 04, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT
response: Hello! Meant to ask once invasive plants bagged up in black garbage bags, safe to dispose of at a yard waste collection site or shld  the bags be going straight into our garbage can. We're guessing they shld go in garbage removal. As always thank you for your help. Daunting task being on a large hill side but catching a few smaller plants in our beautiful gardens. Not going to allow our 30 yr old gardens to be taken over.

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 04, 2024, 12:34 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back. What town do you live in and I will find the regulation for you.  Or, you can call city hall. It is not been acceptable for several years to dispose of lawn waste in black plastic bags.   Yardwaste paper degradable bags are the only option.  I am showing a particular product but they are the same at hardware stores, garden centers, etc.  https://www.grangerwasteservices.com/yard-waste-what-it-is-and-what-to-do-with-it/#:~:text=Brown%20paper%20yard%20waste%20bags%20may%20also%20be%20used%20since,no%20more%20than%2030%20lbs.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 04, 2024, 1:55 PM EDT
response: Hello, again. I've made calls and have found a few waste yard locations to unload at in both Washington county where we live and in Ramsey county. Question is should this invasive plant be disposed of in the regular trash/landfill or at a yard waste site where we empty the garbage bags with other grass, leaves composting. I understood this plant should NOT be composted. If so, then we should dispose of, bagged in our regular trash can. Would you agree and or have any comments? Look forward to tarping soon!