ANN ARBOR, MI – The Garlic Mustard Weed-out Week kicks off today, being done virtually and separately this year.
The event began at sunrise of Friday, May 22 and will continue until sundown of Sunday, May 31 and is put on by the Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP). The event is held to encourage people pull up aggressive, non-native plants to southeast Michigan and promote using native plants only in local yards and gardens, according to a press release from NAP.
“Removing garlic mustard will allow native plants and wildflowers to thrive, encouraging the diversity of native wildlife, from small mammals to butterflies,” the press release said.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic will require some safety precautions this year. Participants should pull invasive plants from their own yards or from city-owned nature areas, the press release said. While doing this, participants are told to maintain social distancing and not to touch any plants, gloves, bags, snacks or any other items belonging someone outside their families.
The invasive species NAP recommends pulling are garlic mustards, dame’s rockets and narrow-leaf bittercresses. Drawings and descriptions of these plants can be found on its website.
Participants are also encouraged to share their pulls to the Stewardship Network Spring Invasive Species Challenge webpage. The press release said to enter “NAP” in the “affiliation” box and where the plants were pulled.