Can I grow veg in the same bed as ivy?

[gardening_gal]

I have a bed that is approximately 1m wide from front to back. There is a fence behind it.

I'm wondering if I could plant some ivy at the very back of the bed so it grows up the fence and over a pergola (use that word very loosely) type affair behind the fence.

The veg would have the rest of the bed.

Can do? No can do?

[vixylix]

I don't know GG... and I'm sure someone else will. But my experience of Ivy is it aims for world domination. I'm just wondering whether it would smother your veg?

[Potstubsdustbins]

You can plant ivy but IMO it would in a very short time take over the whole plot and more.

So if you want to grow veg then don't plant the ivy as said above it's main purpose in life is world domination

[SusieG]

GG - don't do it ..!!!!!!! Ivy will choke out anything else you want to grow in that bed and also won't be intent to stay there, either. Whilst you're not looking it'll creep over, under, through anything in its way!!!

Why don't you grow some sweet peas, for instance instead up that fence/pergola ... far prettier, they can be used as cut flowers for indoors and they won't take over the world!!!

[Scarlet]

I say don't do it too! I used to love the stuff, branches of it root while on the floor, it never gives up. You can dig it out and it will return.grow somenasturtiums of something pretty.

[gardening_gal]

Oh my! Guess I'm not doing it then.

Glad I asked. Thank you.

I wanted something evergreen there and since I had 3 pots of ivy from the garden centre.........

I'll put the ivy into planters for now and look for something else for the fence.

[SusieG]

Oh my! Guess I'm not doing it then.

Glad I asked. Thank you.

I wanted something evergreen there and since I had 3 pots of ivy from the garden centre.........

I'll put the ivy into planters for now and look for something else for the fence.

GG, I'd still keep a beady eye on that ivy even if you keep it in planters - I'm really not kidding, if you put it somewhere it can get a hold on to - it will..!!!!! I know through experience, you can not get rid of it

[Potstubsdustbins]

Yep if a root manages to escape through a drainage hole into soil it will be away..............

[gardening_gal]

GG, I'd still keep a beady eye on that ivy even if you keep it in planters - I'm really not kidding, if you put it somewhere it can get a hold on to - it will..!!!!! I know through experience, you can not get rid of it

You're scaring me now.

What am I going to do with the 3 nice wee dinky plants I bought then? They are sat on the doorstep just waiting on a bit of kindness. Am I really to tell they they are being evicted before they have even had a chance to move in?

Maybe I could think about who I don't like too much then plant it in their garden during the night.

[vixylix]

Love that plan

[Potstubsdustbins]

Love this thread......................

Different gardeners giving the same advice how..........................unusual..................

[SarrissUK]

Keep them in a hanging basket maybe? LOL

I love ivy and I've let it run wild in the front garden, and I have a tree, a gooseberry and a rose in that little garden and they seem to stand up to the ivy, but that may be because there's a membrane down under the pebbles, which the plants have been planted through - the ivy has not. I do cut it back regularly. Ivy is not allowed in my back garden

[SusieG]

Hmmmm, hanging basket - well, well away from the wall though 'cos it'll be climbing all over that if you're not careful .....!!!!!

Oh dear, I sound like a right harbinger of doom

[SusieG]

When we moved to where we are now, ivy had been planted at intervals along the wall dividing us from next door ..... It had completely covered it, bushing out and up and over next door into and over their shed ...
We had a whole weekend removing it - and it's weakened the wall so much it's on a tilt and all the compo is crumbling away - really needs pulling down and rebuilding .....

[gardening_gal]

Ok, ivy is a no no.

I can't just kill it or neglect it to leave it to die slowly though.

What about planting it somewhere in the woods? At least then it would still be alive somewhere?

Is there any reason why this isn't a good idea?