Garlic mustard

Garlic mustard management at The Broadmoor

Garlic mustard is a Provincially regulated plant and was discovered at the Broadmoor in 2016. Under the Alberta Weed Control Act, it is classified as prohibited noxious and the Broadmoor is required to destroy all plants. Garlic mustard is not native to Alberta and it is highly invasive in forests where there are no naturally occurring controls. Garlic mustard can quickly become the dominant species in forest undergrowth through a number of methods: 

• It produces a toxin that interferes with the growth of other plants and trees. 

• A single plant can produce thousands of seeds smaller than pinheads, which survive an average of five years. 

• It has a two-year lifecycle, which allows it to start growing early in the year (April-May) and outcompete slower growing native plants. 

• Damaged plants or roots will continue to produce additional growth. 

The Broadmoor has developed an integrated management plan to control garlic mustard, which includes: 

• Monitoring the spread – Strathcona County Weed Inspectors check the Broadmoor and surrounding areas throughout the year  

• Herbicide applications – garlic mustard is sprayed in the spring when it is actively growing, and the rest of the forest is dormant 

• Restricted access to infested areas – areas with garlic mustard have been marked with blue stakes and signs to keep golfers out 

• Hand-pulling – following the initial herbicide application, the Broadmoor staff routinely hand-pull any garlic mustard that is producing seeds from all areas 

Golfers can unintentionally contribute to the problem by spreading seeds around the course or even to other golf courses. Golf spikes are designed to dig into the ground for proper footing but are also well suited to collecting seed in infested areas. Entering a blue staked area to search for a ball can result in moving seed to a new location and spreading the infestation. Within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region there are many golf courses built along the North Saskatchewan River valley, moving seed to these courses could result in garlic mustard establishing within the river valley.  

What can golfers do to help? 

• Stay out of any blue staked areas – if you hit a ball into a blue staked area do not enter the area to search for it observe rule 17 lateral drop. 

• Clean your golf shoes – the Broadmoor has an air compressor located beside the ball dispenser on the driving range for golfers to clean their shoes. Even if you have not entered an area with garlic mustard it is a good practice always clean your shoes before exiting any golf course.