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How to use an Ivy Mat?

Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
edited September 2020 in Problem solving
I'm reluctant to call this a problem -  it is more of a victory over the ravening horde of ivy invading over the wall from next door.

I've been out there for an hour or two the last couple of days cutting the ivy from the top of the wall that has come over from next door, after a couple of healthy doses of weedkiller this year.

I am left with a thick mat of stems and leaves, with lots of the hairy stuff that grows against the wall but no roots.

Any good suggestions on using this stuff? I guess I have enough to fill about 3 bulk bags from cutting the last lot off. It has both green and brown in it, but the green looks about as digestible as a bay leaf in a stew.

In the past I have dried ivy on a hard surface for a few weeks, then incinerated it. There's obviously still a lot of moisture in it judging by the steam that comes off.

I think I'm inclined to put it in the bottom of a new raised bed and let it rot over time. As long as it will stay underground, and not turn into a vampire-plant.

Will this work with ivy? I'm guestimating that as compost it will take a looonnnng time to rot down. And I'm certainly not going to try and put a couple of cubic m of ivy tangle through my shredder.

All comments welcome. Will see if I can upload a photo.

(Oh - no lawn, so no lawnmower).

Ferdinand
 
“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”

Posts

  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    I wouldn't risk it. Just think of the trouble you'll have if it decides to grow.
    Southampton 
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hi @Ferdinand2000  I am doing that same thing here.  I put mine on the trailer and donate it to the City Council Dump.  I would dearly like to blast it with some weedkiller, but like yours, mine is coming from next door and pulling down the wire fence.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't put any parts of ivy in my compost bin, or anywhere else in the garden. It all goes in the brown bin for collection.

    The hairy bits are roots  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Same here. All parts of ivy go in the council green bin. Not worth taking the chance of it growing back.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    The ivy that lives next door has previously destroyed the dividing fence. Any that appears on my side gets destroyed with another vote for the council waste bin.
    East Lancs
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    I put both ivy and brambles through our shredder on a regular basis. Chops them up small, and means I can get loads in our council green waste collection bin. We have quite an infestation of ivy, and if I didn’t shred what I pull out, I’d be having to take bags of it to the tip on a daily basis.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I tend to chip it, and then use it for paths, or add to compost or mulch. I've never had any regrowth. I personally would use it in the bottom of a new raised bed, but I would completely dry it or chip it first.
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    Hmmmm. 

    It may be the council tip, then.

    Might be inclined to try a small early morning bonfire on the concrete drive supported by the big blowtorch, to see if that works.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
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