Letter to the editor: Help sought to pull garlic mustard along Elroy-Sparta State Trail

By BEN JOHNSTON | Wilton

Jumping Worms are indeed a real thing. They don’t exactly jump, but more so “thrash about” when disturbed.

The problem is these worms are extremely efficient in depleting nutrients in the soil. “They” say at infected sites the soil becomes like dried coffee grounds and one can easily push a finger into the soil. The soil becomes so loose, there is no water retention and plants fall over due to no firm foundation for roots.

The worms have been spreading primarily through contaminated “community-collected” compost and through infested soil via sharing of plants from one garden to another. Mostly it is an urban/suburban issue, but last fall I have learned of an occurrence in rural Viola. More on Jumping Worms? Google it!

With all that considered, in celebration of June being Dairy Month AND Invasive Species Awareness Month, I have invited a handful of folks to help collect/pull garlic mustard along the Elroy-Sparta State Trail on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. We did this last year, and we scored eight bags worth of the rotten plant. The effort ended up being more like a nature hike as we discussed and shared knowledge on all topics nature.

If you and/or any of your friends are available and willing, we will meet on June 10 at 9 a.m. at the trail crossing of County Highway T, west of Norwalk. We will make our way until we reach the Summit tunnel, or noon. Should you decide to come, you can bring a five-gallon bucket, drinking water, sun/bug repellent, gardening gloves (if desired) and snacks to share (highly recommended).

 

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