Help Control Garlic Mustard with Waukesha County Parks
Volunteer for self-led garlic mustard removal in our parks in the spring and summer (view locations).
Open to volunteers of various ages, skills, and abilities. For volunteers under the age of 18, adult supervision is required during all work. Dress for weather conditions: Wear boots and bring your own work gloves.
Note: Parks annual membership or daily permit not required for participant vehicle on workday(s).
What's next: We'll review your info and contact you with further instructions (ie. video, map, and work report form).
Learn to Identify Garlic Mustard
Garlic Mustard Alias: Alliaria petiolata
This fast-spreading weed is very invasive and is threatening natural areas throughout the park system. Garlic mustard starts growing earlier in the season than Wisconsin's other native plants and outcompetes them. It spreads rapidly in wooded areas, forming tall, dense stands that smother native wildflowers, and native tree and shrub seedlings.
Garlic mustard is a winter annual herb that generally grows 2-4 feet tall. The lower leaves are kidney-shaped with scalloped edges. Leaves feel hairless, and the root has an "S" or "L" shape just below the stem base. In spring, roots and new leaves smell like garlic, and small, four-petal white flowers appear clustered at stem ends, followed by long, skinny seedpods.
Garlic mustard spreads by seed and can self-pollinate. It can produce up to 500 seeds per plant, and the seeds can survive in the soil for up to 7 years, making it hard to eliminate.
Waukesha County Park System 515 W. Moreland Blvd • AC 230 Waukesha WI 53188 (map)
Hours M-F • 8 am - 4:30 pm* (closed holidays) Visit us in person in room AC 260 *Rentals: in-person support 8 am - 4 pm Contact us262-548-7801 | [email protected]
Waukesha County Parks
WaukeshaCoParks
