English ivy can become a pain if it’s not dealt with quickly causing structural damage to buildings – but one gardening pro claimed you can easily remove it without the need for any harsh chemicals
Although ivy can look beautiful, it can cause havoc if it’s left unattended and can create some serious problems – one expert has shared how you can easily remove the plant without the need for any toxic chemicals.
It can be a very invasive plant if not dealt with quickly and thanks to its rich green leaves it means it can grow in limited light and outgrow many other plants. Ivy can also cause structural damage when the roots grow into cracks and joints in buildings.
If you want to banish the plant but don’t like the idea of using chemicals, expert Hal Brindley, a conservation biologist and founder of Our Wild Yard told The Express there are some natural methods instead of herbicides.
“It may be tempting to dump a systemic herbicide on the green menace in your yard, but keep in mind that weed killers like Roundup can cause extensive damage to other plant species with spray drift. Sure, you could try a spot treatment with a more natural alternative like a spray bottle of white vinegar. But our goal is to not put plant killers of any kind in our yard,” the pro explained.
While many people may think vinegar is a good solution, Hal advised that it can “potentially harm” surrounding plants and claimed it may not be the most effective method and suggested there is an easier way with “three simple tools” – a good pair of gloves, hand shears, and a shovel.
The first piece of advice Hal gave was to remove it the day after it has rained as it will make it easier. He instructed gardeners to peel the “weaker” parts off the trees “like a carpet” and remove any that were growing on the ground.
He said: “English ivy grows through and over everything on the ground creating a tangled mess. If there are sticks, branches, logs, lumber, or any trash mixed in, peeling up the ivy becomes impossible. Even worse, it may prevent you from pulling the roots. One of the first things you need to do is take the time to remove sticks, branches, and logs.”
Once as much ivy has been peeled, he then advised to use shears to cut through the vines and make sure to only remove “small batches” as the dense vines can become “incredibly heavy”. Hal suggested clipping through the vines to create two edges to peel and aim the edges towards trees or bushes so you can peel around either side of them. Lift the vines and continue to cut through and repeat until it’s all gone.
The final step is to dig out the roots to make sure the ivy is completely gone, and Hal recommended doing it with a shovel. He suggested grabbing where it enters the ground and “pulling upward”. He stated most of the time the root should “pop” out of the ground.
Once all removed, your garden should be free of ivy, but the pro urged people to check at least once a year to make sure it doesn’t come back as you “won’t get every root”.
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