04/07/2026
Sharing this article on garlic mustard—worth the read.
What I appreciate most is the focus on why it’s there in the first place, not just how to get rid of it.
When I was studying herbalism, we shifted language a bit and called plants like this “joyful growers”—species that are incredibly good at filling space when the conditions allow for it.
That perspective changes how you approach it.
And it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t harvest it.
Garlic mustard is actually a nutrient-dense spring green:
• rich in vitamin C
• contains beta-carotene (vitamin A)
• provides minerals like calcium and potassium
• part of the mustard family, with glucosinolates that support liver function
• naturally bitter and pungent, which helps stimulate digestion
This is exactly the kind of plant that shows up when our bodies are also ready for that seasonal shift—toward fresh greens and bitters.
So yes—pull it. Roots and all.
Use it:
• pesto
• eggs
• soups
• sautéed greens
• blended into dips
Important : Do not compost it fresh—bag it and let it break down a couple weeks before disposing so it doesn’t continue to spread.
Garlic mustard season is beginning. The image shows garlic mustard seedlings (left) next to a second-year plant (right) that will flower later this spring if we allow it. They are growing beneath walnut, boxelder, and common buckthorn.
Dan Carter has written up some tips and tricks of what underlying contributors to look for before working to control garlic mustard and what he relies on when he does take efforts to control it. To learn more, click here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/garlic-mustard-season-is-beginning-tips-and-tricks/
For those of you who have had success controlling garlic mustard, what do you look out for? What has worked for you?
