Latest news with #DripWorks
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners can 'kill ivy for good' with natural solution using just three items
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. 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, as reported by the Express. "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", reports Nottinghamshire Live. 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.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
How to get rid of ivy and keep it away for good, according to experts
Ivy is an evergreen climber that clings to walls, fences and trees, forming dense mats of growth and can block sunlight and smother plants Most gardeners in the UK will have encountered common or English ivy at some point, but few would have deliberately planted it. This evergreen climber is ubiquitous, clinging to walls, fences, and trees, and forming dense mats of growth. While it has some benefits, such as providing shelter for birds and pollinators, its tendency to smother plants, damage mortar in older walls, and block sunlight makes it a common problem for gardeners. Rapid-growing weeds are often tackled with harsh chemicals, which many might assume would be the solution for ivy. However, irrigation experts at Drip Works claim that a natural mixture of three household ingredients is all that's needed to eradicate "serious and invasive" ivy for good, reports the Express. There are several methods for tackling unwanted ivy in the garden, depending on where the leafy plant is growing. One effective solution for climbing ivy is a vinegar-based spray. "If you want an ivy-free garden wall, this is an effective and natural way to achieve it," said the Drip Works team. The formula involves combining apple cider vinegar, salt, and dish soap, which has been "proven to be the best solution to kill ivy". Preparing it is straightforward: simply combine one gallon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of salt, and one ounce of dish soap (approximately two tablespoons) in a spray bottle. When it comes to killing ivy, both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar can be effective, but the former may have an edge due to its additional compounds beyond acetic acid. The key to success lies in the concentration of acetic acid, which varies among vinegar types. Before application, ensure you're well-protected with gardening gloves, long sleeves, and boots. Combine the solution in a secure container, shaking it vigorously to mix. How to kill ivy plants Irrigation experts recommend leaving the vinegar solution on the plants for at least five days before assessing its impact. This natural herbicide works by dehydrating ivy leaves and breaking down their protective waxy coating. As the Drip Works team advises, "After five to six days, use garden shears and a pruning saw to remove dead ivy that is clinging firmly to the building." Be thorough, as surviving leaves may require repeat treatment until the English ivy is completely dead. Once the foliage has died back, it's crucial to physically remove the roots to prevent regrowth, as ivy can reappear from even a small remaining root segment. While ivy can provide a habitat for wildlife, allowing it to grow unchecked can weaken trees by adding weight and competing for essential resources like light and moisture. It comes after garden experts shared tips on how to ensure your Japanese Acer retains its striking colour throughout the year.
