Boston Flora

Tag: garlic mustard

  • Friday, February 1, 6:45 pm – The Ecology and Impacts of Garlic Mustard

    The February meeting of the New England Botanical Club will take place Friday, February 1 at 6:45 in the Haller Lecture Hall (Room 102) of the Geological Museum, 24 Oxford Street in Cambridge. The speaker will be Dr. Kristina Stinson, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Conservation at University of Massachusetts/Amherst. Her topic is The Ecology and Impacts of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Her research is focused on plant species’ responses to biophysical stress and climate variation in forests, cities, and alpine ecosystems. This work is driven by theoretical questions about plant life histories, and how local processes within and among plant populations can help explain broader geographic distributions. The unifying goals of this work are: 1) to advance fundamental research in experimental plant population dynamics and ecology; and 2) to provide scientific guidance for restoration, management, and species conservation.  For complete information visit http://rhodora.org. Free and open to the public.

    Image result for garlic mustard (alliaria petiolata)

  • April – June, 2017 – Garlic Mustard Challenge

    The Garlic Mustard Challenge is a collaborative effort to restore and protect natural ecosystems, organized by the Stewardship Network of New England. The goal is to encourage people to get out on the land and care for local natural areas in a fun and engaging way! 2017 is our fourth year to rally volunteers across New England. Check out a summary of 2016 GM Challenge results at http://newengland.stewardshipnetwork.org/story/results-2016-garlic-mustard-challenge-new-england.  Register at http://newengland.stewardshipnetwork.org/garlic-mustard-packet-request

    Dates: Late April through early June

    Location: Anywhere in New England that garlic mustard is present.

    Who: Anyone can participate! Pull in your own backyard, in a beloved nearby conservation area, with friends, with volunteers, or with a school group.

    How: Keep track of how much or how many bags of garlic mustard you’ve pulled and report your bags!

    Questions? Email us at GMChallenge.NE@unh.edu

  • Thursday, August 2, 7:00 pm – Biological Control of Invasive Pests in New England Landscapes

    Our forests, landscapes, and gardens seem to be constantly assaulted by new invasive weed and insect pests. Lily leaf beetle, winter moth, Japanese knotweed, hemlock woolly adelgid, garlic mustard, mile-a-minute vine, and even kudzu are already well-established in southern New England and the emerald ash borer has its sights on us. Ironically, in many cases, the best opportunity to manage these pests involves introducing additional non-native species – generally insects – that regulated them in their native homeland. Dick Casagrande of the University of Rhode Island will speak at Elm Bank on Thursday, August 2, beginning at 7 pm, on the Biological Control of these invasive pests.

    Dr. Casagrande will discuss current programs, opportunities and limitations for biological control of landscape pests of particular importance in our region. He will also answer questions and offer practical advice to homeowners interested in controlling (or enhancing) insects in their homes and yards.  The lecture fee is $12 for Mass Hort members, $15 for non members, and pre-registration is not required.  For more information, visit www.masshort.org.

  • Saturday, April 28, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Invasive Species Pull

    Join Historic New England at the Lyman Estate in Waltham on Saturday, April 28 from 9 – 1 for a morning of removing invasive species – garlic mustard, celandine, dame’s rocket, and bishop’s gout weed – that are crowding out the native plants and are not supportive of wildlife.  Enjoy guided tours of the landscape and greenhouses in appreciation of your generous service.  Obviously free (you can’t charge people to pull weeds, after all!) but registration is requested by calling 617-227-3956, or at www.historicnewengland.org.

  • Saturday, September 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Invasive Plant Control for Homeowners

    Invasive plants are an increasing threat to the environment as bittersweet, Japanese barberry, garlic mustard, and multiflora rose (below)  sweep rampant through the landscape. This discussion centers on what homeowners can do to eliminate or control these pest plants. Learn to identify these rogue plants, and the mechanical, chemical, and biological techniques available for controlling and eliminating them. Consider how to evaluate potential invasive plant problems and how and when to effectively control their spread in this Berkshire Botanical Garden workshop, to be held Saturday, September 4, from 10 – 12, at the Garden at 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge.

    Jack Sprano is a Western Massachusetts Master Gardener and long-time garden enthusiast. He has cleared a six-acre property full of invasives and has developed multiple strategies for controlling these plants. He is currently a board member of the Berkshire Botanical Garden.  $18 for members of BBG, $24 for non members.  Register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org.