English Ivy

[rubyslippers]

While I believe English Ivy is a truly beautiful plant in topiaries and hanging baskets - - even dancing along fence walls and crumbling buildings - - I am not thrilled with English Ivy infestations. Those of you living in the Pacific Northwest may think of English Ivy the way those of us in the South East think of Kudzu. Well, let's just put it this way - - my new cottage has an English Ivy Kudzu problem. Has anyone ever battled this stuff. I started yesterday - - yowza - - I underestimated what I was in for in this regard. Once again, I miss Deb - - she knows how to solve all of these gardening woes. I will not be able to enjoy / landscape my new backyard until this is under control. It is actually a good thing that it is winter, I can go after this stuff without damaging the happy, healthy, not-scarily-invasive plants.

I would appreciate any ideas.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ruby-Ivy-Slippers

P.S. Today and tomorrow - - moving days - - wish us luck.

[Lisa S]

I wish I had a suggestion for you. I'm sure you can find some information on the net.

I battle English Ivy constantly. It climbs and kills anything in it's path. My strategy is to pull it from the base of our pine trees. The remaining vines higher in the trees die.

Moving Day! Woo-hoo! I'm so excited for you!

[rubyslippers]

Yesterday, I used a weed eater to remove a large section of ivy that had creeped on to the sidewalk in front of our house. It took about 1/2 an hour to tackle a 3' by 3' section (if it was that big) - - and, this stuff hadn't had a chance to take root. Then, in our backyard, I noticed a single tendril winding its way up a dogwood tree (no more than a 10 year old tree) - - so, I thought I should unwind the tendril. Lisa, it was stuck! Yikes.

Anyway, upon tackling research on the Internet, I evidently need to do exactly what you mentioned. I need to start about waist level on any given tree and remove the ivy using some serious sheers. Then, I need to clear a 6 foot circle around the tree to keep it at bay while the ivy on the tree dies. However, it took the people on-line about four hours per tree.

As for my backyard, well - - that is another story. It is going to take a lot of work to reclaim. Now, I have beautiful decking, etc. - - honestly, I think the prior owners decided it would be easier to build new decking as opposed to battle the ivy. I, on the other hand, want to have a yard. I know Tanya - - and well lots of us - - try to garden organically. However, I may have to seriously chemically zap the yard. The only reason this doesn't freak me out completely involves the fact that there are lots of ivy layers. Once the top layer dies out, it seems like all the chemical would go with it. Any "run-off" would only zap more ivy. Winter is also evidently the time to do this. One website even indicates that if I cut "sections" - - I should be able to just roll the ivy up like a blanket. Well, that is all fine and dandy .... but what if I find a big nest of rats .... yikes.

Anyway, I am open to all advice and suggestions.

Thanks Lisa ... I'll keep you posted. I'll have pictures of the before and afters - - I'm going to need lots of virtual gold stars for all progress.

Thanks,

Jenny

[memmey]

Now I am not advocating Roundup but down here stuff will grow over your house...I'm not kidding. I take a mayo jar and put a little bit of Roundup in it and use a paint brush and paint the leaves. Not sloppy so it drips onto other things. Time consuming but better than the first year I used it and ended up having the drift kill the wrong things. UGH. I use it on posion ivy.
I hate chemicals but I cannot find anything that will kill posion ivy. I am horribly allergic to it.:eek: If htere is another answer that works I would gladly use it.

[Evelyn]

We have alot of english ivy here in the NW. I have been most successful pulling it up. It is quite satisfying because you can often pull up long tresses of it. I don't know if chemicals work well with ivy. Most likely because you would need to spray so much of the surrounding plants to get the ivy it might now be worth it. I have an invasion right now in my woods. When the leaves are down and the snow has melted I will spend a few hours a week pulling ivy.

Jenny....have fun moving into your new home. How exciting.

Evelyn

[Nikki]

Now I don't have a problem with English Ivy at my cottage, just that evil morning-glory-like Bindweed. I read on a gardening forum somewhere that you can set little jars of Round-Up out, cut the ends off a few of the vines, and soak them in the solution. Apparently the vines carry the poison to the "heart" of the plant, effectively killing it. I haven't tried it yet, but I could see how it might work well with Ivy,too.

[Evelyn]

Nikki, I have not tried that yet, but if or when I find the need to spray blackberries I do it in the fall. The plants are pulling all their energy to their roots and the herbecide is more effective.

Evelyn

[Zuzu's Garden]

When I lived in California, I used the same cut-and-pull method that Evelyn wrote about, but it sounds like you have a much more serious infestation, Mrs. Ruby-Ivy-Slippers. It has even infested your online user name! :eek:

I ran into this website which offers several different approaches:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/FORESTRY/invasivetutorial/English_Ivy_M_C.htm

I especially found this interesting when treating EI w/ chemicals:
"In these trials the main conclusion was the critical importance of application timing. Treatments in the spring when plants had 2 to 4 newly expanded leaves provided the greatest control. Delaying treatment by only 6 weeks resulted in dramatically reduced control. Plants became increasingly more tolerant of glyphosate as the season progressed. See reference: Neal and Skroch 1985. Effects of timing and rate of glyphosate application on toxicity to selected woody ornamentals. J. Amer Soc Hort Sci 110:860-864."

"In the field applications I found that treatment with 2% by volume Roundup, in the spring when plants had 2 to 4 leaves, followed by another application about 6 weeks later (to re-growth) maximized control. When treated two years in a row in this fashion, we achieved over 95% control of established English ivy. "

Best of luck with your move, and also with the English Ivy!
Zuzu

[CohenCottage]

Luckily, our yard is ivy-free; however, I've battled a lot of it at work (my regular day job is as an ecologist with an environmental consulting firm) and helped one of my best friends eradicate it from her yard. Round up didn't work at all, but pulling it from the roots did...Good luck!

[chyna]

What about fire? Deb and I were talking about those flame thrower things that pretty much boils the plant alive and it dies off that way too. My dh uses that extra strength Roundup on those nasty goats heads and that seems to do the trick. We only use that stuff in the areas wehre the dogs and my dd aren't playing otherwise I have to do that pull and roll thing.

Would boiling vinegar kill them off? The receptionist here at work used it on some unruly grass at home and said it doesn't spread out killing farther than the pour area. I never got around to trying it this summer but fully intend on trying it this spring/summer. How is it that grass grows where you don't want it but where I want grass I can't get anything to come up? :o:mad:

[rubyslippers]

I spent the sunny day raking leaves out of the ivy. I found TONS of bulbs emerging under the stuff - - as well as a football, a plastic shovel, lots of random yard art (silk flowers?) - - and irony of all ironies - - a plastic jug of weed killer! I'm slowly starting to wrap my brain around the many, many, MANY, steps - - and possibly seasons - - it will take to find my little backyard. I thoroughly enjoyed the work though - - I feel a little achy and tired - - but today, is THE first day I REALLY worked in MY yard. So, I think I'll sleep well.

I will also soon be investing in a weed eater.

Bye,

Me

[Lynzee]

Isn't it amazing what that stuff can hide? We found a sidewalk under ours! :eek:

[Josephine]

We had english ivy at our old house. It was really stuck to our trees and house, couldn't be pulled off. DH cut it near the base and then allowed the vines to die off. After about 6 months he was able to pull off the vines easily. You should also dig up the roots as they will just regrow if you don't. It is a huge battle with that plant! Good luck!

[chyna]

How ironic is it to find weed killer overtaken by the ivy! :p Did you take a photo of it? I probably would have just for a laugh and put in with the house rehab photo album.

I find sidewalks all the time, turning into my hobby for the yard. Just when I figure I've found them all another one turns up. For those not in the know, my backyard is where sidewalks go to die or a sidewalk graveyard. In any case I still haven't figured out the rhyme and reason of the placements. Some people find old glass bottles, metal items and old toys and I find sidewalks and broken beer bottles. What is the world could that mean? :rolleyes::confused:

[chyna]

Oh and Jenny

Guess you know what brand of weed killer to not buy! :D

[Deb D]

Sorry, Jenny, I don't have any experience with ivy. After removing the top layers, I would probably use a spading fork to dig out the roots and haul them away.

I have been slowly reclaiming my whole yard this way. I put the dirt through a hardware cloth screen to pick out all the quackgrass roots, rocks and archeological artifacts. The soil is compacted and full of weeds. After I dig and sift, I add soil amendments (compost and manure), and rake smooth. Then I lay out the paths and beds, and add perennials. This worked to restore the grade too. I had some bumps and low spots. It takes a long time, and I've been doing it in stages. The hard lesson for me is that I can't redo the whole garden in one year. I want it all now! But I don't have the money and time for an instant makeover. It has actually been OK to do it slowly--I find I like the time to consider and imagine. I don't have a grand scheme. It reveals itself bit by bit.

I am envious of your bulbs. We got new snow, and all I can see are the tops of a couple snowdrops sticking out.

[One Woman]

Chyna, that's too funny about always finding sidewalks in your yard, lol!

We don't have English Ivy but I'm hoping some of the tips here will help me get rid of our invasive Virginia Creeper. It's terrible! The first year, I thought it was just beautiful on our house, but that stuff doesn't stop growing and really attaches itself to everything. When we pull down, it takes the paint right off our siding. And it comes back every year. I just want to get rid of it once and for all!

It came with the house though I didn't notice it growing until the second year we were here. It's just become a monster. It's a pity because it really is pretty.

[chyna]

That is the stuff my mom keeps trying to talk me into putting in my yard and I told her NO THANKS!!!! Does yours come with those really creepy worms? That's the biggest reason I won't put it in my yard, those worms. shudder

In the latest Martha Stewart Living she answered a question on how ot get rid of poison ivy. That would work with non-toxic ivy too wouldn't it? Wasn't a quick fix though, takes a few years to completely get rid of the problem and you have to really stay on top of it. Came down to basically cutting it off, letting it die off, bag up the vines and dig up the roots and keep an eye out for volunteers and do this a couple times a year. Think I'm happy that we have a frigid winter here now, Mother Nature's way of keeping that stuff under control. :eek:

You are right One Woman, the Creeper is really pretty. I love the colors in the fall, the berries are a mess but pretty too. But those worms........

[Lynzee]

Hearing about all of the things y'all have found, I'm really curious as to what we would find under all of the Kudzu! :eek:

[chyna]

Oooohh I've heard how awful kudzu is. Did see an episode on Carol Duvall where they made baskets out of the stuff that was cute but of course none up here and pretty sure I'm happy about that. :o:p

[Lynzee]

It is awful...it's so invasive and it kills everything in its path. I have no doubt it would cover our house in no time if we didn't cut it back several times a year. We've been told that the only way to kill it is with diesel fuel and a match. :eek:

[chyna]

That would be good if you had firebug tendencies but what a hassle!!!! yep I'm happier than ever that we don't have that stuff up here. Give me a moose or deer in my yard anyday.;)

[ChapterTwo]

It's so funny about things like ivy and wisteria...what makes the difference is location, location, location!

Alongside my house is a sidewalk (that's the area where my garden hose hangs in nice weather) and then a long rectangular area filled with ivy. I trim it about 3 times a summer and it's great - always green, covers the dirt, and it's no hassle. But I can appreciate the fact that, in the wrong place, it can be a problem.

Speaking of problems, for me, it's wisteria! I foolishly bought a tiny sprout to plant on my backyard chainlink fence, thinking I'd beautify it (having seen gorgeous wisteria flowers in someone's yard, over a fence). Well, the wisteria killed off my honeysuckle, and is now everywhere! I had to even get a ladder out in Fall, because my son saw that the wisteria had grown up in the air, and attached itself to a branch of my huge maple tree, pulling it down - it had actually swirled around the main trunk of the tree, trying to choke it!

The little tendrils surrounded a wooden rod that I had on the corner of the fence and destroyed a whirligig of a bird my father had made me, years ago. There are suckers, or whatever they're called, creeping along the ground, making me trip, too!
I REALLY regret ever planting the wisteria; it is entirely out of control!

At any rate, my point is that with things like ivy and wisteria, they can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the location (and keeping an eye on them, and trimming them, seems to be key). In my case, the ivy's a blessing and the wisteria's a curse!

[Breezy]

When we first moved in there was ivy all over the trees and even one of the stoops by the front steps. The man who was painting for us said to get rid of it cause it's a hiding place for critters plus it can actually get into the mortar and cause big probs.
That stuff is so hard to pull off but we managed to get it out. So far it's not coming back. Thank goodness.

[chyna]

Oh my Kim that sounds horrible!!!!

[rubyslippers]

...and weed eating...I found a plastic dinosaur, a couple of matchbox cars, some things a dog chewed on, a few plastic easter eggs ... YIKES

Anyway, the entire backyard has had the "top" cut off the vines ... I lost some bulbs in the process, but they were getting choked to death anyway. We are going to try to mulch and bag the leaves and the ivy. Then we will spray, spray, spray, aerate, spray, grade, and LIME ... I think we are going to try to get some grass. The reality that it will probably be next fall is a little hard. I'll plant things in the front this summer I guess; patience is a virtue right?

If I'm not around here, I'm battling the ivy. Thanks for the warm and fuzzy thoughts. I'm glad I'm not the only one to tackle this stuff.

- - Jenny

[chyna]

You ladies got me thinking climbing stuff and I ordered a couple of Joseph's Coat roses, honeysuckle and a couple of hops vines. Sure hoping I won't be on here next year saying how they took over the yard. :o;) I did steer clear of the English Ivy and the Wisteria they were offering on a discount though. I had images of Kim and Jenny's yards going thru my mind. :p

[ChapterTwo]

I did steer clear of the English Ivy and the Wisteria they were offering on a discount though. I had images of Kim and Jenny's yards going thru my mind. :p

Smart move, Chyna!

I had two very lovely honeysuckle vines...one had white flowers and the other ones were pink. Once I hack the dreaded wisteria out of the way (for now), I hope the honeysuckle will grow back. They didn't grow like crazy...they knew their place (until they were strangled by wisteria). Good luck with yours!

[chyna]

Did you have yours in a really sunny and hot-ish area? The side of the house I'm planning on putting them can get quite hot in the summer which is one reason I wanted vines which is to shade my house. :o My veggie and herb gardens will be on that side of the house too so they shouldn't get hot feet or dry feet but I do hope they don't get overheated. some of the heat I imagine reflects off the alum (white) siding so once the vines are filled in maybe that would also help the situation?:confused: Guess the worst that can happen is that I'll have expensive mulch/compost right there. :o

[ChapterTwo]

:)Did you have yours in a really sunny and hot-ish area?

Actually, the chain link fence is at the front of my backyard, and there is a huge maple tree to left of that area. So it's not constant, baking sun. The honeysuckle vines never seem to need much fussing.

I just looked up an article on honeysuckle and it said "full sun or partial shade". So there ya go!

[chyna]

well they are already ordered so guess we'll see how they do over there. I'm actually more concerned about the hops going crazy. My house will have ot go from the Christmas colored house to the beer house. :p:eek:

[ChapterTwo]

Excuse my ignorance, Chyna...but do you really make beer from the hops? I've never heard of anyone growing those.

[rubyslippers]

Well, at this time, the entire backyard is down to the contour of "earth" so-to-speak. The ivy was up to three and four feet deep in some areas. Years and years of leaves, ivy, more leaves, and more ivy were battled this week. A weed-eater took the top layers off the ivy. I hand dug all of the rocks, toys, broken branches, etc. We moved out some big things (like an ivy covered hammock stand locked to the ground). There is still a bottle tree that may meet a chainsaw before all is said-and-done. It is quirky in spirit, but all of the sticking-out-nails paired with the broken glass I found doesn't present a really happy and hunky-dory backyard area.

Anyway, there is another entire side-yard filled with ivy. We used a mulching mower to tackle the backyard and just disintegrated all of the ivy and leaves. The side yard will have to wait until we see what happens with the backyard. Essentially, we have just given the backyard a serious "haircut" so to speak. I understand that all of the ivy roots are in tact right under the surface. They are criss-crossing EVERYWHERE! Anyway, the reality is that I am going to have use some form of chemical on this stuff. I intend to go for spot-treatment, but it is still going to be necessary. I can certainly just buy some round-up, but I am going to need something pretty aggressive. Any suggestions?

I then believe the majority of the summer will be spent in a process similar to what Deb has mentioned. Digging, sifting, and raking in lime, soil, and compost. I am thrilled to hear this took care of some of your uneven spots. I have been investigating and there are a lot of shade-loving perrenials appropriate to my growing zone. I can create shade-garden "rooms" so to speak. If some of the ivy comes back, then I will learn to manage it with a weed-eater. I also might let it stay in the "side-yard"; however, I feel strongly that it all has to be cut out to remove trash, debris, toys, and other "archaeological" finds from underneath. Those aerial roots are tough suckers.

I would also love some polite climbers (i.e. roses), but I don't think I'm going to have 6 hours of sunlight back there once the trees leaf-out, but who knows, there could be a little spot. We'll just have to wait and see. Tanya - - you are going to LOVE your Joseph's Coat roses. I have a couple of those in my "container" garden that is living at my parent's house. I believe they might officially "own" them now. With that said, they are beautiful! It is hard for me to wrap my brain around what a long process this is going to be for such a small yard; however, I really love the work. Plus, I don't want to pay someone to come do it for me. I'm going to need to rent some machinery before it is all over with (and make some purchases) - - most of the heavy duty stuff I used this week belonged to my Dad.

Anyway, those are the updates from ivy central.

Sincerely,

Jenny

[chyna]

Jenny
When I ordered the Joseph's Coats I thought of you. You really talked them up so I figured what the hay lets give it a try.

Jenny2

Apparently yes you can make beer out of them. I sincerely doubt that will happen at my house though. :p We have grape vines and there has yet to be wine made off of them. Though the yellow jackets really liked them and sucked all the juice out one of the vines. :eek: My dh and dd did make some grape juice once last year though.

[ChapterTwo]

Though the yellow jackets really liked them and sucked all the juice out one of the vines. :eek:

Well, I just laughed my head off over THAT one! :D

[Deb D]

Jenny, patience is indeed a virtue. This summer will be your big effort in the yard--next summer I bet things will seem a little easier. Take pictures as you go along--you'll be amazed to look back at your progress.

Tanya, I planted a hop vine last fall. I dug it up from my gramma's, and it dates back to the early 1900s when they grew a lot of hops in southwest Washington. I've been lurking outside to see if it made it through the winter. I'm hoping it will shade the south side of my porch.

Hops are used to flavor beer. I think most of the hops grown in the US are from the Yakima Valley, near where I used to live. They harvest them in the fall and make extract, which is a very stinky process lasting a couple weeks. Hops also can be dried and used as an herbal remedy to induce sleep. They use the flowers, not the leaves.

I have a honeysuckle vine, also dug up from Gramma's. I'm training it up an arbor. It smells so good on summer evenings, and the hummingbirds like it. If you grow one, give it beefy support, as they grow pretty fast and get big and heavy. You can prune the bejeebers out of them and they come back.

Wanted to let you all know about a fun catalog I got from www.anniesannuals.com. (http://www.anniesannual.com) She's in California and has some unusual plants and natives. And mildew-resistant lupines! I might have to try some of those.

[chyna]

I'm pretty much just growing the hops for the shade and looks plus it is under my bedroom window (eventually). Maybe this purchase will work out better for me than I imagined. :D

Yes, the yellowjackets sucked all the juice out of the grapes on one particular vine. It was creepy!!!!:eek: We have 4 variety's of grapes and they picked the green grapes. Kid you not, one day I was over by the arbor and see the yellowjackets going crazy (so got the heck outta there) and the next day all they left was the vines, leaves and the grape husks. don't know if they were thirsty or if they just liked the sweetness but wow!!!!:(

[ChapterTwo]

I am STILL laughing about those yellowjackets. Who knew they like grape juice?? :o