The Garlic Mustard Challenge in New England

volunteer pulling garlic mustard

The Garlic Mustard Challenge in New England is a regional effort to restore natural ecosystems and prevent the further spread of garlic mustard (Allaria petiolata).

The Challenge is a fun way to encourage people to get out on the land and care for local natural areas in New England!

  • When? Late April through early June, or whenever garlic mustard is in flower (but seeds are not yet set)
  • Where? Look for garlic mustard in your yard or neighborhood throughout New England.
  • Who? Anyone! Volunteer on your own or join a group pull by Finding a garlic mustard pull near you!
  • How? Report the number of bags you pull below!
     

Not sure how to identify garlic mustard? No problem - we've got resources to help. 

Garlic Mustard actually does smell like garlic! It grows over two years, flowering the second year and going to seed. More identification resources are below: 

Garlic Mustard Fact Sheet
VIDEO: How to ID Garlic Mustard in Early Spring
VIDEO: How to Pull & Dispose of Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard in a Basket

What to do after you pull: 

We're having a big impact! Explore the all the data. 

Since 2014, THOUSANDS of people have helped pulled LOTS of garlic mustard. Explore the data and stories of impact in our new data explorer. 

 

Report Your Sightings (New England)

Was this a PULL or a SIGHTING of Garlic Mustard?
Name of property or street
Estimate how many hours of time were spent pulling garlic mustard.
Typical garden, leaf, or contractor bags
Typical kitchen garbage bags
This photo may be used to illustrate the data from your pull on the Garlic Mustard Challenge Data Explorer. 
One file only.
10 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, svg.