Gardeners are often left frustrated by the rapid growth of English ivy, but there is a simple and all-natural way to get rid of it using just three household items
Home gardeners across the UK are all too familiar with the resilience of English ivy, even if they haven’t intentionally planted it. This evergreen climber is common throughout the country, notorious for its ability to latch onto walls, fences, and trees, forming dense coverings of leaves.
While it does provide some ecological advantages, such as offering shelter for birds and facilitating pollination, its propensity to overwhelm other plants, damage older walls, and block sunlight can be a nuisance for gardening enthusiasts. When dealing with rapid-growing weeds like ivy, one might assume that strong chemicals are the solution.
However, specialists at Drip Works propose a homemade remedy using three common kitchen items to permanently eliminate “serious and invasive” ivy, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
The approach to managing unwanted ivy varies depending on its location within the garden. For ivy-covered walls, Drip Works experts suggest a vinegar-based spray.
“If you want an ivy-free garden wall, this is an effective and natural way to achieve it,” the experts at Drip Works recommend. They advocate for a mixture consisting of apple cider vinegar, salt, and washing-up liquid, which they claim has been “proven to be the best solution to kill ivy”.
Preparing this ivy-killing spray is a breeze; simply mix three easy-to-find ingredients in a spray bottle. Blend one gallon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of salt, and about two tablespoons (or one ounce) of washing-up liquid.
You can use either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to tackle ivy, with apple cider vinegar possibly packing a bigger punch for some due to its extra compounds beyond acetic acid. The effectiveness of either vinegar in killing ivy depends on the acetic acid concentration, which varies between different types of vinegar.
If you don’t have any apple cider vinegar at home, you can easily pick up a bottle from your local supermarket. Sainsbury’s sells 500 ml of Apple Cider Vinegar for just £2.10.
Before applying the mixture, make sure to secure the lid and give it a good shake. It’s also crucial to wear gardening gloves, long sleeves, and boots to protect yourself during the process.
How to kill ivy plants
Irrigation experts recommend letting the vinegar solution coat the ivy plants for at least five days before evaluating its impact. This liquid mixture acts as a natural herbicide, dehydrating ivy leaves and helping break down their protective waxy layer.
The team from Drip Works advised: “After five to six days, use garden shears and a pruning saw to remove dead ivy that is clinging firmly to the building.”
If any leaves resist the herbicide, you may need to repeat the process until the English ivy is completely eliminated.
After the leaves have died off, it’s vital to physically remove the roots, as ivy is tenacious and will regrow from even a tiny root fragment.
Although ivy can offer nesting spaces for wildlife within its thick growth, unchecked spread can threaten trees by adding weight and competing for light and moisture.