Exotic Invasives are non-native plants that out-compete vital native flora, which native animals and insects have evolved with and require for their survival. Without that interdependent web of native plants and animals, our environment becomes unhealthy.
(Alliaria petiolata)
hedge garlic, sauce-alone, jack-by-the-hedge, poor man's mustard, jack-in-the-bush, garlic root, garlicwort, mustard root
Garlic Mustard flowers and seeds in early spring before many plants have even broken ground. They form a dense stand, shading out other seedlings. Each plant produces hundreds of seeds, which last five years in the soil. The plant has no natural enemies (even the white-tailed deer seem to prefer native plants to garlic mustard) and can be present in an area for years before it appears—often seeming to explode.
Eradication should begin as soon as plants are noticed. Make a note of locations where you pull so that you can revisit in the fall (second flowering) and subsequent years. Each year, you should see quite an improvement. Pull entire plant and root. In sun and densely vegetated areas roots are quite strong and deep and may require a little loosening with a spade. Dry on hard surface, then bag.