English ivy can look beautiful in gardens, but if it spreads and becomes uncontrollable it can easily begin destroying your prized plants, flowers and trees.
In Britain, English ivy is a native plant but can still exhibit invasive behaviours as it can compete with nearby plants for nutrients, sunlight and water which can greatly stunt their growth.
Not only that but ivy vines can climb onto buildings or fences and work their way into the cracks, which can cause structural damage if left unchecked.
However, Brittany Bailey, a gardening and DIY expert from Pretty Handy Girl has shared she has the “absolute easiest” way to get rid of ivy from your garden and prevent it from regrowing.
She said: “No back-breaking pulling or bending over. This is truly the best way to remove English ivy.”
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How to get rid of English ivy from your garden and home
You will need to make sure you are wearing a good pair of work boots, a long-sleeved top, long-sleeved trousers, gardening gloves and safety glasses.
According to Brittany, it is important to “gear up” when removing ivy as it is a known shelter for many pests, including spiders and rodents, so it is best to protect yourself as much as possible.
To begin, you will need to begin cutting the ivy for the best results and then use either a herbicide or natural homemade solution to completely get rid of it.
Ivy has waxy foliage which makes killing it difficult, but cutting the vines will create an “open wound” in the plant and mean it will absorb an ivy-killing solution more easily.
Use a pair of loppers or pruners to cut the ivy close to the ground and then carefully pull at the roots, but make sure not to completely pull it off as it can damage the surface it is attached to.
Brittany said: “Resist the urge to pull the vines off because it can damage the bark. Once the ivy dies the greenery will turn brown and will eventually fall off.”
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If the ivy is growing on the ground, you can speed up the cutting process by using a lawn mower but make sure to remove any debris around the ivy.
Next, to properly eradicate ivy use a herbicide which contains glyphosate, triclopyr, and imazapyr, but you can also try at more natural method which is more environmentally friendly.
Brittany said: “If you want to go natural, you can use one gallon of white vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of dish soap, just be very careful not to get this mixture on any plants or trees you want to keep.”
After a week, the ivy should begin to die off and loosen its grip. Then all you need to do is use a garden rake to remove any ivy vines on the ground.
Brittany said: “If any roots resist raking, use a hoe to dig the roots out. This process will be much easier after a rainy day as the ground will be softer.”
Keep an eye on the area the ivy was for a few makes to make sure no new shoots begin growing, but this method is the most effective and easiest way to keep ivy out of your garden for good.
