mystery - 4 petals

[Diane Whitehead]

There are half a dozen blooming in my raised vegetable bed.  I don't recall sowing anything resembling them last year,
but they are in a straight line which suggests they did not come in with the soil I bought.  About a metre high.

[Alan_b]

This maybe http://www.downgardenservices.org.uk/Mustard_garlic.htm  ?  I wouldn't let it set seed unless you want it forever. 

[johnralphcarpenter]

Yes, garlic mustard, a.k.a. Jack-by-the-hedge, a brassica, good in salads or in a sauce, seeds everywhere, very common here in Kent.

[Diane Whitehead]

Thank you.

I squished the leaves  to a mush before I noticed a scent.  Then I tried chewing a leaf which was tasteless and tough.  They will go in the garbage, not the compost, and I should be rid of them.

I wonder where it came from - it is not one of our usual weeds, so it might have been an adulterant in some seeds I bought from Europe.

[Alan_b]

My wife and I manage different areas of the garden (some shared).  She likes this plant but she has not yet noticed how many seedlings are coming up.  I weed it out wherever I find it in my areas.   

[TheOnionMan]

Mustard Garlic is invading New England, northeastern USA, it's considered highly invasive throughout much of the USA. The garden club in our community has garlic mustard group weeding days, I'm afraid it's a losing battle.

https://emswcd.org/removing-garlic-mustard/

[Gabriela]

Mustard Garlic is invading New England, northeastern USA, it's considered highly invasive throughout much of the USA. The garden club in our community has garlic mustard group weeding days, I'm afraid it's a losing battle.

https://emswcd.org/removing-garlic-mustard/

I agree and it is very unfortunate.
In Ontario it's been declared an invasive weed; it's taking over many wild areas, perfectly adapted to woodland conditions It is already known from BC so Diane, you didn't bring it with other seeds, was already there. It is best if removed in the first year when it only forms the leaves rosette. I would also warn the neighbours, otherwise if only you remove it really doesn't make a difference.