May Garlic Mustard Pull

A small group of volunteers met at Seidman Park in Ada Township Monday evening, May 19 to pull invasive garlic mustard plants. The group was led by Jessie Schulte, who is the Volunteer Services Coordinator and Habitat Restoration Specialist for Kent County Parks. The evening started out rather overcast and cold, but it turned out to be a beautiful evening to be outside in the woods. As they worked on removing garlic mustard, people were rewarded with views of jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapple, wild geranium, and dwarf crested iris. 

Monday, May 19 • 6:30–8:30 pm

Seidman Park, 8155 Conservation St NE, Ada, MI, 49301 Map

Public Welcome • Free Event
Invasive Species Removal • Lots of Physical Activity

Join us to help eradicate invasive garlic mustard plants in Seidman Park!

Park at the Conservation St entrance. Bring gloves and dress for the weather.
Trash bags will be provided. 

Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata is an invasive herbaceous biennial with stems 2– 4’ tall. First year plants form a basal rosetta that remains green through the winter. Second-year plants produce one to several flowering stems. It impacts the environment by out-competing or displacing native plants and trees by controlling light, water, and nutrients resources. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for ten years or more! Garlic Mustard releases chemicals that hinder the growth of other plant species.

Photo credits:
Left: Garlic Mustard infestation by Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Right top: Garlic Mustard 1st year rosette by John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Right bottom: Garlic Mustard detail by Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org

Member Kathy Stevens pulling Garlic Mustard at the May 2022 Wild Ones River City event.