4th Annual Weed Out on May 3rd

Guest Posting: Mary Knoll Weed Out notice from Patty Gerner, affectionately known as the "Garlic Mustard Lady."

Brookfield is having its fourth annual garlic mustard “WEED OUT” at Mary Knoll Park on Saturday, May 3^rdfrom 9:00 a.m. – noon, rain or shine.

The Gerner family has volunteered at this park since 1997 and is partnering with the City of Brookfield, Boy/Cub Scout Troop/Pack 23, the Brookfield Central Key Club, and the UW-Extension. Please join us to remove garlic mustard in the park. Volunteers of all ages from families with young children to seniors can help as garlic mustard is easy to pull so you don’t need to be physically strong or particularly fit. Come for the full three hours or just an hour. Past participants have commented on how surprisingly enjoyable it was to work in the park with birds chirping and spring wildflowers in bloom. Some realized that they had garlic mustard in their yards.

Garlic mustard is an invasive weed introduced on the east coast by early settlers for its alleged medicinal qualities and cooking. In our community it spreads rapidly, overtaking wildflowers, native tree and shrub seedlings. It then drives out animals, birds and insects that depend on a diversity of plant species for food and shelter.

Gary Majeskie, Parks and Forestry Superintendent, will be available to train volunteers. Bags will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes, gloves, and perhaps a water bottle. Mary Knoll Park is located at 615 S. Sunnyslope Rd. Follow the entrance road to the tennis courts. Please call 262-796-6675 to volunteer. Registration is not mandatory, but gives us an idea of how many volunteers to expect. We hope to see you there!

I can attest that the Weed Out is indeed an enjoyable experience. Last year's Weed Out was a drizzly day, but even that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. In fact, it made pulling the weeds easier!

Past Garlic Mustard Postings:
3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)

It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)

Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Betterbrookfield, Vicki Mckenna
Blogs: Practically Speaking, Fairlyconservative