English ivy can add class to your garden, but let it take over and it will soon start to strangle your beloved flowers, shrubs and trees.
Despite being native to Britain, English ivy can still go rogue and take all the nutrients, light and moisture from its neighbors and stunt their growth.
But that’s not all, those strands of ivy can scale walls and fences, get into nooks and crannies, which can make a real mess of your structures if you don’t keep an eye on them.
But fear not, green-fingered friends, because gardener Brittany Bailey, a Pretty Handy Girl publicist, has come up with what she calls the “absolutely easiest” method of banishing ivy “forever” to prevent its return.
He claimed: “No back-breaking pulling or bending over. This really is the best way to remove English ivy.”
First, get yourself sturdy work boots, a long-sleeved shirt, full-length pants, gardening gloves, and safety glasses.
Brittany insists on dressing properly before tackling the ivy, as it’s a notorious hiding place for critters like spiders and rodents, better off than sorry.
Start by trimming the ivy to size for top-notch results, then use an herbicide or whip up a natural potion at home to finish the job once and for all.
Ivy’s waxy leaves make it a difficult plant to kill, but by cutting its vines, you create an “open wound” that allows it to absorb the ivy-killing solution more effectively.
You can combat a stubborn plant by grabbing clippers or pruning shears and cutting the ivy close to ground level. Then gently pull the root, being careful not to rip it off completely so as not to damage the surface it is attached to.
Brittany advised, “Resist the urge to pull the vines off because it can damage the bark. When the ivy dies, the greens turn brown and eventually fall off.”
If the ivy is spreading on the ground, a lawnmower may speed up the process, but first clear the ivy of the mess.
To really get rid of ivy, use a herbicide with glyphosate, triclopyr, or imazpyr. Alternatively, for those who prefer eco-friendly methods, Brittany suggests, “If you want to be natural, you can use a gallon of white vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Just be very careful not to get it on any plants or trees you want to keep.”
Give it a week and the ivy will begin to die and loosen. A garden rake can then be used to remove any remaining ivy vines on the ground.
Brittany added, “If the roots resist raking, dig the roots out with a hoe. This process is much easier after a rainy day because the ground is softer.”
Keep an eye on the area where the ivy once was for a few weeks to prevent new shoots from sprouting.
