Ever since the first European explorer’s boot pressed a hitchhiking seed from the homeland into New World soil, the spread of exotic invasive plants has threatened native plant communities in North America. Some plants were brought over with a specific purpose in mind– food–only to escape the garden and run rampant where they are unwanted. Garlic mustard is one of these guys, and it’s a tough competitor for native woodland flowers and tree seedlings across the country.

Rather than eradicate it with noxious chemicals, why not harvest it before seedset and enjoy it for its original purpose: eating! That’s what the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary has done this year with their
“Garlic mustard goes gourmet” campaign. Partnering with my favorite Twin Cities locavore restaurants Lucia’s and Heartland, garlic mustard harvested (aka weeded) in the garden will be served up in delicious entrées. What a great idea.

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