Ivy

[Dorothy rouse]

I have thick ivy growing along one side of my plot, I did have membrane down covered with chippings which formed a path, where I was able to have bags with potatoes in, to use the space( if you understand me), but now the ivy is taking over, growing up through membrane over fence etc.! V difficult to pull up or even chop down, so am wondering if there might be any kind of weed killer that would not damage everything! Am not keen to use weedkiller really, so I'd welcome any suggestions, thanks

[veggiechicken]

I cut the stems low down and let the top growth die off. Then pull that up/off.
Ivy that runs along the ground is quite fun to pull up - but I have a strange sense of humour

[happyhumph]

Have to say I'm with you VC - something strangely satisfying about it.....

[Bill Door]

Hi Dorothy

Ivy is a devil to get out. If you have the time RHS recommends using Scotts Roundup Gel and slapping it on the leaves after you have bashed them with a rake. So I would suggest cutting the vines about three inches above ground level and plastering the cut ends with the gel. Re-do this every three weeks and see if it disappears. If that doesn't work then I suggest you bake a bid cake and invite VeggieChicken around for afternoon tea!

Bill

[Dorothy rouse]

I tried pulling some up this morning! Almost impossible and pretty backbreaking!

Then I tried 'chopping it' with looper things, but that was pretty impossible also!

Covers a big area, so I guess I'll just have to do a bit at a time, and just try to keep it at bay!

I would think that 'roundup gell' is pretty lethal stuff?

It's always going to be a problem as it comes up, under and over the fence, if you get me! In some ways it's quite nice when ur covers the 'green fence', but.........

Thank you all

[Dorothy rouse]

Just researched a bit more, you can use 3 lbs! of salt and liquid soap! And apply boiling water daily to the roots! Might work in a garden, but I have to drive to allotment, can you imagine kettles of boiling water in my car! ( no power in plot)

[veggiechicken]

Try using one of those 3 pronged rakes, put a prong under the ivy and lever it up from the ground.
On the bright side, ivy flowers are good food for bees.
If that doesn't convince you, happyhumph and I will come over and eat your cake whilst pulling up ivy

[Baldy]

I hate Iivy with a passion.
Gel type weedkiller - burn it - salt the ground as the Romans did - decapitate - dig it out

bluddy stuff keeps coming back - I have it on the border at home - awful stuff - meh

I wish you luck - and if you find a successful way of keeping it knocked back let us know...

[WendyC]

You have my sympathies. There is ivy coming over, under and through the fence from next door. Trouble is they like if in their "wild" end to the garden. The fence is ours and when cash flow allows, needs replacing. I'm hoping when that happens a lot of it will go, but then it will be back.

[happyhumph]

On the bright side, ivy flowers are good food for bees.
If that doesn't convince you, happyhumph and I will come over and eat your cake whilst pulling up ivy

can I order a lemon drizzle & a warm ginger cake please?

Think the key is to keep at it, & stop it spreading any more. When you get it back draw a demarcation line over which it's not allowed to pass & ignore the rest of it.

[Dorothy rouse]

Please all you of you come over, we can have a ' let's get Dottys ivy party'!

Cakes, cakes and even more cakes! ( would make carrot cake, but they all got eaten!)

[Dorothy rouse]

Try using one of those 3 pronged rakes, put a prong under the ivy and lever it up from the ground.
On the bright side, ivy flowers are good food for bees.
If that doesn't convince you, happyhumph and I will come over and eat your cake whilst pulling up ivy

Yes, thousands of bees, one stung my allotment friend in the chin! They are not friendly at all!

[happyhumph]

Yes, thousands of bees, one stung my allotment friend in the chin! They are not friendly at all!

I know someone who keeps bees commercially & he says his hives have different characters - some are friendly & docile while others are really aggressive. Guess wild bees might be the same?

Sure someone here who keeps bees will know better than me.

Can we have sandwiches as well?

[veggiechicken]

Perhaps they knew you wanted to pull up their food supply

[veggiechicken]

I have a couple of bee suits, HH, so don't worry, we'll be dressed. Its difficult eating cake through a veil though