{"id":2240,"date":"2013-05-15T13:01:34","date_gmt":"2013-05-15T17:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=2240"},"modified":"2013-05-16T14:55:09","modified_gmt":"2013-05-16T18:55:09","slug":"attack-of-the-garlic-mustard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/attack-of-the-garlic-mustard\/","title":{"rendered":"Attack of the Garlic Mustard"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-2249\" title=\"garlic mustard\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/05\/garlicmustard.jpg\" width=\"403\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/05\/garlicmustard.jpg 448w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/05\/garlicmustard-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 403px) 100vw, 403px\" \/>The name of this plant may conjure thoughts of a tasty meal. But for gardeners and native plant lovers, garlic mustard has a bitter flavor: it&#8217;s an invasive species brought over by the settlers in the 1800s, and it&#8217;s taking over yards and forest floors.<\/p>\n<p>How did garlic mustard (<em>Alliaria petiolata<\/em>) move from spicing up a few colonial gardens to dominating the northeast? Here are just a few of this plant\u2019s clever adaptations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Its roots leach chemicals that destroy the important fungal partners of nearby plants.<\/li>\n<li>It makes a type of chemical antifreeze that helps it stay green in cold weather, allowing it to shoot up as soon as the snow is gone.<\/li>\n<li>Each plant can release a thousand or more seeds.<\/li>\n<li>Even after you remove the plant from your yard, its seeds can hang out in the soil for five years (or more).<\/li>\n<li>It is toxic to some insects. Some types of butterfly eggs laid on its leaves will fail to hatch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">How to ID Garlic Mustard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Garlic mustard&#8217;s most iconic features are its green heart-shaped leaves with deep veins and tiny four-petaled white flowers. Note that the flowers don&#8217;t appear during the plant&#8217;s first year. You can also employ the smell test: true to its name, when crushed it gives off a garlicky smell.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Removing Garlic Mustard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>May into early June is the best time to remove this plant from your yard. Many of the plants are flowering, making them easy to identify, but they haven\u2019t yet had time to make seeds.<\/p>\n<p>To remove a garlic mustard plant, grab it at the very base, and twist while pulling upwards. If the soil is loose, you may be able to pull up the roots, eliminating any chance that the plant could regrow. But even if you\u2019re only able to pull up the above-ground portion, you will have at least stopped the seed-making process for this year.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve picked the plants, put them in a plastic bag for disposal. Don\u2019t dump them in your compost heap, or they may re-root or release seeds. Whatever you do,\u00a0be sure to keep at it\u2014because of those long-lasting seeds, you may be battling garlic mustard for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The name of this plant may conjure thoughts of a tasty meal. But for gardeners and native plant lovers, garlic mustard has a bitter flavor: it&#8217;s an invasive species brought over by the settlers in the 1800s, and it&#8217;s taking over yards and forest floors. How did garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) move from spicing up [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[53,119,118],"class_list":["post-2240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-garden","tag-garlic-mustard","tag-invasive-species"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-A8","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3837,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/beware-of-backyard-invaders\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":0},"title":"Beware of Backyard Invaders","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"August 13, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"On quick glance, it may seem that your garden beds are thriving: the plants are\u00a0lush, green, and plentiful. But take a closer look and you may discover that your yard has been overtaken with non-native invasive species. Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to the nature of Massachusetts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Gardening&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/Japanese-barberry-with-purple-foliage-600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/Japanese-barberry-with-purple-foliage-600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/08\/Japanese-barberry-with-purple-foliage-600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":508,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/five-common-summer-butterflies\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":1},"title":"Five Common Summer Butterflies","author":"Kristin S.","date":"July 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summer is a magical time for watching butterflies. A quick hike in the woods, a few quiet moments in a garden, or even a walk down a city block almost always turns up a few butterflies, more if you\u2019re looking for them.\u00a0Amidst this bounty of butterflies, here are five species\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Nature Notes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/GSFritillary-FrankModel-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14480,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/received-unsolicited-seeds-in-the-mail-dont-plant\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":2},"title":"Received Unsolicited Seeds in the Mail? Don\u2019t Plant!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"July 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As if 2020 events couldn\u2019t get any stranger, people across the country are receiving packets of seeds in the mail they did not order. Example of unsolicited seeds via Washington State Department of Agriculture If you happen to receive unsolicited seeds, whatever you do, do not plant them. Instead, report\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/seeds2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/seeds2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/seeds2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/seeds2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15841,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/ways-to-volunteer-this-summer\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":3},"title":"Ways to Volunteer This Summer","author":"Hillary T.","date":"June 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Looking for a way to get out and give back? Consider lending a hand at one of our wildlife sanctuaries. West June 11: Water Chestnut Removal by Canoe with Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton Water chestnut is an invasive plant that wreaks havoc on native plant and animal life, chokes\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_8868-750x500-275cda65-a3be-4195-9823-211758d34812.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_8868-750x500-275cda65-a3be-4195-9823-211758d34812.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_8868-750x500-275cda65-a3be-4195-9823-211758d34812.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_8868-750x500-275cda65-a3be-4195-9823-211758d34812.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":288,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/dont-weed-the-milkweed\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":4},"title":"Don&#8217;t Weed the Milkweed!","author":"Kristin S.","date":"July 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"If a gardening catalog offered a plant that sported unique flowers, attracted butterflies, fed and protected the beloved monarch butterfly, provided nesting material for goldfinches and orioles, was easy to grow, and was native to our state, wouldn\u2019t we be eager to plant some in our gardens? So, what is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Gardening&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15384,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/salt-marsh-restoration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":5},"title":"Climate Action through Salt Marsh Restoration","author":"Rishya N.","date":"March 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0DNRT's and\u00a0Mass Audubon\u2019s\u00a0TerraCorps\u00a0members, staff,\u00a0and\u00a0volunteers hard at work. When we\u00a0look to nature, we can find many ways to adapt to\u00a0and mitigate climate change. Restoring nature so it can perform these services is, in part, how Mass Audubon\u00a0acts on climate.\u00a0Wetland restoration work being done on\u00a0the South Coast is a prime example.\u00a0\u00a0 On\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Climate&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/02252021_DNRT_OVF_Workday_41.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/02252021_DNRT_OVF_Workday_41.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/02252021_DNRT_OVF_Workday_41.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/02252021_DNRT_OVF_Workday_41.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2240"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2257,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2240\/revisions\/2257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}