Volunteers Pull Invasive Garlic Mustard

Two groups of volunteers pulled ten bags of invasive garlic mustard from the trails at Maybury State Park. Garlic mustard is of particular concern in the U.S. because it spreads so aggressively. It releases chemicals into the soil that can prohibit the growth of other plants.

This nonnative plant also emerges earlier in spring than other native species, giving it an unfair advantage in establishing itself before other native plants have had a chance to start growing.

Our work day began with a colorful and delicious variety of donuts from Northville’s Peace, Love & Little Donuts.

Then we got to work. The best way to remove garlic mustard is to carefully pull the entire plant and taproot out by hand, before it begins to go to seed. Then the plants are bagged and disposed. It is important to not compost pulled garlic mustard as the seeds will end up in the compost itself.

Here are the hardy volunteers who made this happen. Among them were volunteers from the Canton Nature Society, a woman working on rain garden certification, owner of Purple Love Gardening (a business that sells native plants), and current and former Friends of Maybury State Park board members.

While working, we were surrounded by conversation and sounds of nature: birdsong, chirping tree frogs, and hammering woodpeckers. And if you were lucky, you might have caught a glimpse of some of the park’s smaller residents.

It was an eventful day, with summer temperatures, and ten bags of garlic mustard GONE.