NOW IS THE TIME…
…to mark your calendars for an important water meeting! The BHV Water Committee will be giving a special presentation on the State of BHV Water at the next Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, June 10, 2019, 6:00 PM at Walter Esch Hall. Water is our most valuable resource and is not guaranteed forever so wise stewardship is a must. Residents are urged to attend on June 10.
…to be pulling garlic mustard! See below for information on how to identify this bully of an invasive species and tear it out wherever you see it.
…to follow the 25 mph speed limit and have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day holiday.
OTHER THINGS…
Thanks to all who returned the Security Committee surveys. Your input will be very useful as the Committee considers various options.
Check out the next recycling opportunity on June 8 at Whitmore Lake High School. Read all the details at www.washtenaw.org/2414/county-clean-up-days.
Household hazardous waste items can be set out next to regular trash on Monday June 3. BHV only collects these items for safe disposal on the first Monday of the month.
Thanks for keeping the recycling area tidy, and putting corrugated cardboard boxes in front of the salt shed rather than in the green recycling bin.
GARLIC MUSTARD Garlic mustard is an invasive herb that thrives in the low light of the forest floor and aggressively competes with native wildflowers and tree seedlings. Spring is the best time to eliminate new infestations before the plants produce hardy seeds that can remain alive up to five years.
Pulling by hand is the most effective approach to control/eliminate small patches of garlic mustard. Be sure to remove the upper portion of the root as well as the stem, since buds on the roots can produce additional stems. To prevent spreading of seeds, pile pulled garlic mustard plants by your driveway or road to be picked up and disposed of by the BHV staff. Don’t bury or compost these hardy plants—they’ll just pop back up.
Cutting with a weed whip or mower is most effective when the stems are cut just at the onset of flowers, as close to the soil surface as possible. Repeated cutting will probably be needed.
Make it a habit to pull garlic mustard along the roadsides and waterfront whenever you’re out for a walk—leave it lying on the edge of the road pavement for BHV pick up. Watch for new plants on your property and pull them before they spread. With everyone helping, we can keep this cute but pushy plant from taking over. Thanks!
There are a number of websites that fully describe garlic mustard. For a very informative video featuring local experts and former BHV resident Fred Clark (author of the BHV Forestry Study) visit https://vimeo.com/2855779.