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garlic weed control and disposal #751025

Asked May 20, 2021, 10:36 AM EDT

We recently discovered what this noxious weed is and our property has been invaded with a great deal of it. I'm pulling it up by hand and bagging it. Are there any programs, school or otherwise, of which you are aware that can assist? Some of it is located among stinging nettles - ugh. We're older and I'm concerned it's going to go to seed before we slowpokes can eradicate it. Also, now what - with the bags full? We're told it is toxic to soil so not to compost it. Burning it presents a carbon issue for us.Thank you.

Franklin County Vermont

Expert Response

I'm sorry - I should have entered "garlic mustard weed." All in from yanking the stuff. Thanks for your attention. 

The Question Asker Replied May 20, 2021, 10:41 AM EDT

Hi, April.  I feel your pain!  Garlic mustard is a serious invasive and your photo shows that it is quite widespread on your property.  I will attach a few links below, to give you more information about controlling and eradicating it.  It will be a long process, partly because you have so much, and partly because there will be seeds in the soil again, waiting to come up next year and the next.

A few suggestions:

1. Control the perimeter of the spread. Draw "a line in the sand" over which you will not allow the mustard to grow.  Keep the edge of the spread clear of the plant and gradually work your way in.  That makes it less overwhelming, as you can see your progress.

2. When you pull it, be sure to reach to the base of the plant and get the full root.  Garlic mustard has a little bend in its white root that breaks off easily, so try to grab it below that point if you can.

3. If the amount is overwhelming, aim for the flowers, to try to keep them from developing into seeds.  Some sources say to mow it each year before it develops seeds.  Mowing or "weed-whacking" might be a reasonable option for you.

4. Herbicides can be used, but research them carefully before using.

As for full bags - you can leave black plastic bags in the sun to bake, which will kill the plants.  You can also pile up the plants and fully cover them with a tarp.  

Doing some research, I see that "Garlic mustard can release chemicals in the ground that prevent native plant seeds from germinating." That may be only from the live plants. 

The only group programs working on invasives that I know of are for public lands.  For private property, you might advertise (for example on Front Porch Forum, or at a local HS) for student assistance.  I sometimes hire young people for garden help, giving them job experience and giving my back a break!

Some links to explore:

For general information:  https://www.vtinvasives.org/invasive/garlic-mustard 

This one has more details about controls:  https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/noxiouslist/garlicmustard

I hope this helps.  Good luck, and keep at it!

Enormously helpful! Thank you so very much for getting back to me so quickly. I'll stay on it! There are small flowered stems which are easy to overlook with these old eyes.

 


From:Ask Extension [mailto:<personal data hidden>]
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2021 11:16 AM
To: April Henderson
Subject: Re: garlic weed control and disposal (#0020956)

 

The Question Asker Replied May 20, 2021, 11:41 AM EDT

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