Gardener's three easy ways to kill ivy in your garden for good
English ivy can thrive in gardens for years without issue, but it's crucial to keep it in check to prevent problems. This involves containing it to a specific area and monitoring its growth towards nearby properties. If the ivy starts to infiltrate cracks or joints, it can lead to structural damage, so an expert has shared methods for eliminating the plant.
Gena Lorainne, a gardening specialist at Fantastic Services, explained that simply pulling the plant away from the wall is insufficient due to its extremely sticky roots.
1. Root removal
"Once the foliage has died, you can carefully remove the stuck-on stems with a wire brush. If it covers the ground, dig it up with a mattock or fork and dispose of it elsewhere.
"Alternatively, if the ground does not need to be planted, remove all the top growth, cover it with weed-control fabric, and add some mulch 10cm to 15cm deep."
2. Weed killer
However, gardeners should exercise extreme caution when using this method, as it can harm nearby plants, reports the Express. The gardening expert added: "It will kill anything it touches. Spray lightly so the weed killer does not drop off the leaves, or, even better, crush and damage the leaves before spraying so they can absorb more weedkiller."
If English ivy is killed using weed killer, it may require multiple applications, so it's essential to be patient and do this during dry weather.
3. White vinegar
Gena insisted: "Pour 80 percent water and 20 percent vinegar into a container. Ensure that you don't harm any other plants while spraying the ivy plants. Observe the results after a few days. Remove any dead ivy and reapply the same solution as needed."
White vinegar, rich in acetic acid, can be a potent tool to dry out the roots, establishing it as an efficient killer of unwanted plants and weeds.
Just like chemical herbicides, a mix of white vinegar and water must be applied with caution, steered clear of nearby plants to avoid unwanted damage.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Wales Online
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August Hydrangeas are hardy plants that do not need much care, but there is one simple gardening task that can ensure they continue to bloom beautifully for much longer Hydrangeas will grow even perkier flowers if one simple task is done in August (Image: Getty) Hydrangeas, robust as they are, typically require minimal maintenance, yet there's one thing they need for their delicate root systems - ample moisture. As rain is something Wales is currently lacking, one straightforward gardening chore can really help. Despite regular watering, hydrangeas can suffer in extreme heat, leading to wilting, underdeveloped blooms, or even halted growth. However, Skye Hamilton, affectionately dubbed the Hydrangea Queen and founder of Hamilton House Designs, has divulged a tip for safeguarding your hydrangeas. She explained: "Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important." The practice of mulching involves covering the soil around plants with a protective layer to shield them from the elements, particularly useful in summer to conserve soil moisture. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here A good mulch layer acts as a barrier against evaporation and also insulates the plant's roots, keeping them cool regardless of the soaring temperatures, reports the Express. This technique not only keeps hydrangeas looking vibrant and encourages flowering during intense heat but also prevents weeds from encroaching, reducing the need for additional gardening tasks. How to mulch hydrangeas in August Mulching is simple but helps the soil retain moisture to keep hydrangeas hydrated (Image: Getty) It's advisable to utilise a natural mulch known for its water-retention properties, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch. These types of mulch not only keep hydrangeas hydrated but also decompose slowly, providing the plant with additional nutrients. Distribute a thin layer (approximately two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, taking care not to overdo it or create piles. Hydrangeas require ample moisture in August, but an excess can lead to stagnant water in the soil, which may attract pests and diseases. After applying the mulch, give the hydrangea a thorough watering. Article continues below This should enable it to flourish and produce large, fluffy flowers throughout August, rather than merely struggling to survive as it typically would.
Powys County Times
14 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Record breeding year for England's white-tailed eagles as three chicks fledge
Three white-tailed eagles have successfully fledged from wild nests in England, marking a new high for a reintroduction programme on the south coast. Conservationists said a record three chicks fledged from two wild nests, including the first chick in Dorset for 240 years, as well as two youngsters raised in a nest in Sussex. The successful breeding attempts by two pairs of white-tailed eagles brings the total born in the wild through the reintroduction project to six. White-tailed eagles – nicknamed flying barn doors because of their wingspan of up to 8ft (2.4m) – were once widespread in southern England until the 18th century when persecution led to them being wiped out in the region. A project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight in 2019, to bring back a long-lost species to the skies of southern England. The birds, which are the UK's largest bird of prey, have previously been successfully reintroduced in Scotland. Some 45 young white-tailed eagles have been released as part of the English scheme, including eight birds released this summer from the team's base on the Isle of Wight, which provides good habitat for the wetland and coast-loving species. The birds reach breeding age at around four or five years old, and three pairs released by the scheme have formed and established territories in southern England, the team behind the project said. In 2023, a single chick was born – the first in England since the 17th century – and two more were born in the summer of 2024, to the same parents, who have gone on to breed successfully again in Sussex this year. Steve Egerton-Read, white-tailed eagle project officer for Forestry England, said the team had been monitoring the nests for months, describing it as 'such an exciting time but also incredibly nerve-racking'. 'This was especially the case for the pair of eagles in Dorset who were first time parents,' he said. 'It was an incredible moment when we caught our first glimpse of that tiny fluffy chick in the nest, but equally, it is an anxious time as the parents get to grips with what they need to do.' He said it was 'so rewarding' to see the pair of eagles, which are often spotted around Dorset, care for the chick through to fledging, adding he hoped one day the youngster would itself breed in England. And he said: 'Returning lost species like the white-tailed eagle is a key part of Forestry England's approach to restoring biodiversity and helping nature to recover. 'We hope that in years to come these iconic birds will become a much, much more common sight, inspiring future generations and deepening their connection with nature.' Roy Dennis, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to see another year of successful breeding and that two pairs have now reached this key stage. 'This is a long-term project, and it will take some years before the population is fully restored but the progress made over the last year has been incredibly encouraging. 'We have some well-established pairs and two that are actively breeding,' he said. 'We hope to build on this progress, and I'm really pleased that we have been able to release an additional eight birds this year to further boost the population.' It is hoped that in time, a population of six to 10 breeding pairs will become established within 60km (40 miles) of the release site on the Isle of Wight. Conservationists said some of the younger released birds are present in potential breeding areas, typically close to freshwater wetlands or the coast where they can source their preferred prey of fish. A study into the food they are eating in the region shows they are targeting prey such as cuttlefish, rabbits, fish and other birds, and there are 'no conflicts' with farming, despite concerns in some quarters that the birds could prey on livestock such as lambs. In 2022, two released white-tailed eagles were found dead, prompting police investigations in Dorset, which ended after tests on the bird were found to be 'inconclusive', and on the Isle of Wight, where no evidence of an illegal act was found, though the presence of rat poison brodifacoum was found in both. The chicks are all fitted with satellite tags so that the project team can track their progress.
South Wales Guardian
15 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Record breeding year for England's white-tailed eagles as three chicks fledge
Conservationists said a record three chicks fledged from two wild nests, including the first chick in Dorset for 240 years, as well as two youngsters raised in a nest in Sussex. The successful breeding attempts by two pairs of white-tailed eagles brings the total born in the wild through the reintroduction project to six. White-tailed eagles – nicknamed flying barn doors because of their wingspan of up to 8ft (2.4m) – were once widespread in southern England until the 18th century when persecution led to them being wiped out in the region. A project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight in 2019, to bring back a long-lost species to the skies of southern England. The birds, which are the UK's largest bird of prey, have previously been successfully reintroduced in Scotland. Some 45 young white-tailed eagles have been released as part of the English scheme, including eight birds released this summer from the team's base on the Isle of Wight, which provides good habitat for the wetland and coast-loving species. The birds reach breeding age at around four or five years old, and three pairs released by the scheme have formed and established territories in southern England, the team behind the project said. In 2023, a single chick was born – the first in England since the 17th century – and two more were born in the summer of 2024, to the same parents, who have gone on to breed successfully again in Sussex this year. Steve Egerton-Read, white-tailed eagle project officer for Forestry England, said the team had been monitoring the nests for months, describing it as 'such an exciting time but also incredibly nerve-racking'. 'This was especially the case for the pair of eagles in Dorset who were first time parents,' he said. 'It was an incredible moment when we caught our first glimpse of that tiny fluffy chick in the nest, but equally, it is an anxious time as the parents get to grips with what they need to do.' He said it was 'so rewarding' to see the pair of eagles, which are often spotted around Dorset, care for the chick through to fledging, adding he hoped one day the youngster would itself breed in England. And he said: 'Returning lost species like the white-tailed eagle is a key part of Forestry England's approach to restoring biodiversity and helping nature to recover. 'We hope that in years to come these iconic birds will become a much, much more common sight, inspiring future generations and deepening their connection with nature.' Roy Dennis, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to see another year of successful breeding and that two pairs have now reached this key stage. 'This is a long-term project, and it will take some years before the population is fully restored but the progress made over the last year has been incredibly encouraging. 'We have some well-established pairs and two that are actively breeding,' he said. 'We hope to build on this progress, and I'm really pleased that we have been able to release an additional eight birds this year to further boost the population.' It is hoped that in time, a population of six to 10 breeding pairs will become established within 60km (40 miles) of the release site on the Isle of Wight. Conservationists said some of the younger released birds are present in potential breeding areas, typically close to freshwater wetlands or the coast where they can source their preferred prey of fish. A study into the food they are eating in the region shows they are targeting prey such as cuttlefish, rabbits, fish and other birds, and there are 'no conflicts' with farming, despite concerns in some quarters that the birds could prey on livestock such as lambs. In 2022, two released white-tailed eagles were found dead, prompting police investigations in Dorset, which ended after tests on the bird were found to be 'inconclusive', and on the Isle of Wight, where no evidence of an illegal act was found, though the presence of rat poison brodifacoum was found in both. The chicks are all fitted with satellite tags so that the project team can track their progress.
