How to banish ‘destructive’ ivy without wasting cash & the 35p hack you must try to avoid structural damage to your home
IF ‘highly destructive’ ivy has taken over your home and garden, then fear not, we’ve got just the thing for you.
Ivy, also known as English ivy or common ivy, is a plant that grows on fences, walls and trees.
It can be found in most gardens and on many homes up and down the UK.
But whilst the plant can add charm and personality to a space, the aerial roots can grow into cracks or joints in buildings which can potentially cause structural damage.
As a result, if you’re looking to get rid of ivy for good, then we’ve got you covered.
And if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to splash the cash on pricey products, you’ve come to the right place.
Thanks to a gardening expert, there’s a three-step method you must follow to say goodbye to ivy, and don’t worry, it’s super simple.
Ivy is known to be particularly difficult to kill because it has waxy leaves and a very extensive root system which makes it resistant to some weed killers.
But despite this, Oren Kander, the director at Gaffsy, has revealed a quick and easy technique that can kill the invasive plant, for good.
Oren stressed: “Don’t be fooled by its picturesque charm – English ivy can be highly destructive.
“It depletes nutrients from garden plants, smothers trees, and provides a perfect hiding place for pests, vermin, and insects.
“Worse still, ivy’s aggressive growth can cause serious structural damage to homes by eroding brick and woodwork.”
According to Oren, before you try to remove ivy, make sure you wear eye protection, gloves and a top with long sleeves as it has a very rough texture that can scratch you if you’re not careful.
First off, the best way to remove ivy is to cut the vines off at the base, making it much harder for it to grow back in the future.
All you’ll need to do is simply cut the ivy at the bottom of a wall or tree with a pair of shears and make sure to cut the ivy around the base to prevent it from being able to grow back.
What is English Ivy?
English Ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is a versatile and hardy evergreen vine commonly found in gardens, landscapes, and indoor settings.
Originating from Europe and Western Asia, it is widely appreciated for its lush, green foliage and ability to cover walls, trellises, and ground surfaces.
Key Characteristics:
- Foliage: English Ivy has glossy, dark green leaves that can be lobed or unlobed, depending on the variety and maturity of the plant.
- Growth Habit: This plant is a vigorous climber, using aerial rootlets to attach itself to surfaces. It can also spread along the ground, creating dense mats of foliage.
- Flowers and Fruits: Although not commonly noticed, English Ivy produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in late summer to early fall. These are followed by black or dark purple berries, which are toxic to humans but provide food for birds.
Uses:
- Ground Cover: Ideal for preventing soil erosion and covering large areas with minimal maintenance.
- Climbing Vine: Perfect for adding greenery to walls, fences, and trellises, providing both aesthetic appeal and privacy.
- Indoor Plant: Popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability to low light conditions and ease of care.
Care Tips:
- Light: Thrives in partial to full shade but can tolerate some sun, especially in cooler climates.
- Water: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
- Pruning: Regular pruning helps control its growth and prevents it from becoming invasive.
- Soil: Adaptable to a variety of soil types, though it prefers slightly alkaline to neutral pH levels.
Cautions:
- Invasiveness: In some regions, English Ivy is considered invasive due to its aggressive growth habit. It can outcompete native plants and damage structures if not properly managed.
- Toxicity: All parts of the plant contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested by humans and pets. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
One week after your cuts, the plant will begin to wilt and turn brown.
Then, when it is completely dead, you can gently pull it away from the structure.
The ivy should then be easy to remove once it has been disconnected from the roots and you can use a shovel to dig out the roots to prevent regrowth.
The second step in the ivy removal process is to apply a herbicide to kill any remaining roots.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
But if you want to cut costs and avoid chemicals, you can apply boiling water or white vinegar, which you can nab from Tesco for just 35p, on any remaining foliage.
The final step in the process is to keep a close eye on your garden and home and remove any new shoots if you see them growing, as ivy is very resilient.
It’s crucial that homeowners be patient with this process, as when trying to get rid of ivy it can take multiple rounds of cutting it back to remove it completely.
Despite this, if you keep at it, your garden will be free of this pesky plant for good, without needing to break the bank on posh gardening products.
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March gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine has shared the first gardening jobs of spring.
Start sowing seeds
You can plant Aubergine seeds into propagator – or outdoors after the last frost. Or you could try growbags in a coldframe – and hopefully you can harvest from August onwards.
Have a think about planting some different varieties of seeds this year – check out She Grows Veg and other sites for heirloom varieties. There’s an astonishing array on offer, like purple carrots, globe-shaped aubergines, lime green cauliflower or storage tomatoes that stay fresh for months.
Buy and plant summer bulbs
Summer flowering bulbs provide huge big blousey blooms – with some bringing a real touch of the tropics to your garden. Try Gladioli, dahlias, calla lilies, peonies and crocosmia.
Lawncare starts now!
Start your lawn care with a boosting high nitrogen spring feed, reseed any bare patches – and you’ll probably start mowing regularly in earnest this month. If you can – keep a corner long to help wildlife.
Check compost
Dig well rotting compost into your soil. If you have the space, it’s even worth digging trenches and chucking in your rotting veg that’s usually destined for the recycling bin – then cover. It adds great nutrients for free.
Clean outside spaces
Time to blast your patios and paths with a pressure washer – if your children are responsible enough it’s a great job for them – they’ll get soaked and have fun at the same time.
Soak sweet peas
Soak your sweet peas before sowing into long narrow pots or toilet rolls – put two seeds in a pot. These can go in an unheated greenhouse – and when there’s three or four pairs of leaves, pinch out the growing tip which will make them grow outward instead of upwards.
Create a wildflower meadow
Sow a wildflower meadow – if you have room. A lot of shops now sell wildflower mixes to make things easier – or even seed bombs which can just be scattered onto the soil.