The Greener Guide to Garlic Mustard: From Nuisance to Nature Lesson (and Maybe Even a Snack!)

Every May, Wisconsin lawns, gardens, and woodlands erupt with a leafy invader—Garlic Mustard. This unassuming green plant with small white flowers might not look dangerous at first glance, but it’s one of the most problematic invasive species affecting our local ecosystems today. Fortunately, it’s also one we can do something about—right now.

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a biennial herb introduced to North America in the 1800s by European settlers for culinary and medicinal use. Its garlicky flavor, edible leaves, and high vitamin content made it a useful kitchen herb—but in our landscapes, it’s turned into a monster.

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Garlic Mustard spreads aggressively, especially in wooded areas, shaded gardens, and even lawns and road edges. It:

• Smothers native plants
• Disrupts biodiversity
• Releases chemicals that prevent other species from growing
• Threatens native wildlife that depends on those plants

Left untreated, it changes entire ecosystems—choking out native wildflowers, herbs, and the pollinators that need them.

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Garlic Mustard has a two-year lifecycle:

• Year 1: Forms a low leafy rosette
• Year 2: Shoots up tall with white flowers, then forms seed pods

👉 Right now in May is the best time to catch it—before it seeds. Each plant can produce hundreds of seeds, making one missed opportunity a big headache later.

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• Hand Pull: Uproot the entire plant before seed pods form. It's easiest after a rain.
• Compost with Caution: Compost only if no seeds are present. Otherwise, black bag and trash it.‍
• Treat It Professionally: Be Green Pro can spray-treat Garlic Mustard using eco-conscious products before it spreads.

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While it’s invasive, it’s also edible—especially the tender spring leaves. It’s actually how it got here!

Garlic Mustard Pesto Recipe:

• 2 cups Garlic Mustard leaves (young and washed)
• 1/2 cup toasted nuts (walnuts or pine nuts)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 garlic cloves
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Blend into pesto perfection. Serve on pasta, grilled veggies, or fresh bread—and feel good knowing you’re fighting the invasion one bite at a time.

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🌱 The Be Green Pro Solution

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We specialize in helping homeowners tackle seasonal challenges like Garlic Mustard using low-toxicity and organic solutions. Whether you’re seeing a small patch or a growing invasion, we can help:

• Eco-safe selective weed control
• Treatment plans that avoid harming milkweed or pollinators
• Guidance for maintaining healthy, native-friendly landscapes

Right now is the ideal time to schedule a Garlic Mustard treatment before it seeds.

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💚 Ready to Act?

Let’s stop Garlic Mustard in its tracks—and protect the native beauty of your lawn and community.

👉 email hello@begreen.pro

📞 Or call us at 262-361-4034

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