Controlling the Spread of Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that's causing concern in many parts of the country. Dave talks to Wayne Mezitt about methods of controlling the spread of garlic mustard.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• dave epstein
• growing wisdom
• garden
• organic gardening
• gardening
• invasive plants
• garlic mustard

[growingwisdom]

Perhaps in your area it is not such a problem. However since its introduction in the 1800s it has become a problem in terms of crowding out native species. I am not trying to be a plant xenophobe and it is a balance between natives and other introductions to the US. After all, lots of plants have been introduced to the US that are great additions. Thank for your comment, we will think about this in the future.

Dave

[u159411]

This plant (garlic mustard) is a wonderful edible green. In fact, it is the number one most nutrient dense green ever analyzed (at this point). I pick about 7-10 leaves, chop them into fine pieces, and scramble them with 3-5 eggs (from my hard-working chickens) and sometimes some hoisin sauce and/or garlic. Tastes great and it's great for you too. If you want to contain it, try carefully growing a patch in a raised bed that you designate as your "weed garden".

[OS253]

Garlic mustard is delicious. It's a vegetable plant. Why not harvest it? It's great for salad and soups. I prefer garlic mustard over the regular lettuce

[COOKJAN1]

I can confirm that it is an envasive plant. The woods around my home have them. They just keep growing and growing and are very hard to control. We try, but it is a lot of work. I would prefer other native plants in my woods for sure!

[GreenLivingAmy]

I must disagree with jaedenwolf. It can't be treated like any edible herb. Basil and bay leaf are not spreading in the understory of our forest and choking out every native in sight. Chives do not release a toxin into the soil which inhibit plant growth of other species. I understand that it can be useful in cooking, that's why our pioneers brought it here.  Control the spread and growth of this tyranical invasive. Milwaukee Green living Examiner.

[adamatova]

When it grows, it really GROWS. And multiplies. I know, because I've been battling them all winter long. They grow at night. - fast too. Fascinating, tasty - yes. But invasive - wow.

[jaedenwolf]

Garlic mustard is entirely edible herb & makes a great green for salads, steamed like a spinach, made into pesto and other uses. The seed can be added to stew/soup or ground up to make a peppery mayo or spread. The roots like a parsnip. Ethnobotony & Simple harvest will keep it under control. Have done it for decades. Disappointing on this vid--usually I like your vids but this "ignorant weed-must kill it" approach to a perfectly fine plant should be treated like any olther garden herb.