@finnbleK1xeTuT- When I had to take out the lawn, I realised after a while that going into the ground with spate making rectangular pre-cuts, I saved more than half a time compare to the the “just lift it”.
I have a similar problem to @finnbleK1xeTuT- and plan to spend the coming months slowing working my way through the affected area. I was just wondering though, what should I do with the ivy and brambles that I pull out? Will it break down naturally (say if I line dedicated area with a weed mat first)? Or should I have to pay to have it taken away? Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Strong lads are not generally sensitive to wanted plants. Clear instructions and close supervision are needed
Ivy and brambles can be composted and don't take any longer than your usual compost. Don't waste, don't pay. Mixed with something small, like grass cuttings, would be helpful. Run over with a lawn mower perhaps. No need for a dedicated area.
When I garden was new to me, I bought a pair of loppers and moved through the struggling roses and tree seedlings at the rate of 1m per day per border. Rose and tree bits I bonfired.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I have found any cut bits of ivy left on the ground will root, so I bin all cuttings. First though , if you are talking months of work @LittleMissElsie I would cut all the ivy at ground level, if it's climbing take out a 30cm wide strip, and leave to die back, any new growth after that spray. I had 7 six foot fence panels to clear, but it did take three years to get rid of most of it, as it kept coming back from next door, now there is one little patch I keep cutting, but as yet the neighbours have no interest in helping. Which is bad as the ivy their side has eaten a decking, and is attacking their summerhouse. 🤷♀️
- the area that I will be clearing is very large, approx 100ft x 60ft, so twice the size of OP's. As this rules out using compost bins, I had thought that a dedicated area might make sense (hoping that lining the area with a weed mat would minimise the chance of the pulled up ivy and brambles taking root again). Much of the ivy and brambles is well established, so I think it might take a few years to break down due to its thickness.
- based on the the initial work that I completed at the weekend, I estimate that I might be able to fill a skip with the amount that I will be pulling up over the coming months. I know that this isn't cheap, but would be willing to pay for it to be taken away as it would rule out the possibility of the ivy & brambles taking root again (and undermining all my hard work). Bagging up (binning) is not an option as much of the ivy stems are thick and course and likely to rip through the dozens and dozens of bags the task will no doubt require. I am happy to undertake the work to dig up the ivy and brambles and pay for it to be collected.
I hope that this additional information helps, any additional thoughts would be much appreciated.
That is not as bad as the Honey Fungus that I get.
And what about the rats that live under next door's decking and summerhouse?
Regarding compostability, Even quite fat bits of woody ivy falls apart in the open air afer a mere 3 years. Faster than silver birch. Bramble stems last, what 3 years max? An old and established plant most is already dead and brittle. Still prickly of course.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I think you'll have to remove it and have a skip @LittleMissElsie , or get someone in to do it. It's worth paying a little more to get a reliable company though - too much fly tipping going on. Like @purplerallim -I'd never try and compost ivy and brambles. Asking for trouble. It'll all want to grow back, but you can then adopt a weed killing approach as new growth appears, and keep on top of hoeing/cutting etc, depending on how much time you have and how you feel about the different methods of control. You can then plant up the area or lay turf etc, once it's well under control, according to what you intend doing with the plot, but you'll still have to be vigilant.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@bebe It's more likely, if there are any as I haven't seen any for years, that they would be coming from the garden on the other side, a jungle with trees 30 years old broken, dead, with ivy, bindweed, elder, and brambles growing through them. The birds love it, but its a pain for me to have two sides of my garden with unloved gardens.🤷♀️
If you're clearing gradually over a number of weeks, can you put it in your council green waste bin? a surprising amount will fit in if it's cut into short lengths so that it packs down.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
After reading the initial post again - the problem is that if it's going to take months, by the time you get about half way through - the original stuff will be regrowing. Is there anyone who could chip in and help you @LittleMissElsie?
You could certainly do as @JennyJ describes though - assuming you have that facility. You'd still need some help to clear it quickly enough though. The alternative is to mow it as hard as you can - if you have a sturdy lawnmower, and get rid of the clippings in the bin. Then if there's regrowth by autumn, at least that new growth will be slower, and easier to deal with on your own.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
I ♥ my garden.
Ivy and brambles can be composted and don't take any longer than your usual compost. Don't waste, don't pay. Mixed with something small, like grass cuttings, would be helpful. Run over with a lawn mower perhaps. No need for a dedicated area.
When I garden was new to me, I bought a pair of loppers and moved through the struggling roses and tree seedlings at the rate of 1m per day per border. Rose and tree bits I bonfired.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I had 7 six foot fence panels to clear, but it did take three years to get rid of most of it, as it kept coming back from next door, now there is one little patch I keep cutting, but as yet the neighbours have no interest in helping. Which is bad as the ivy their side has eaten a decking, and is attacking their summerhouse. 🤷♀️
Some further info:
- based on the the initial work that I completed at the weekend, I estimate that I might be able to fill a skip with the amount that I will be pulling up over the coming months. I know that this isn't cheap, but would be willing to pay for it to be taken away as it would rule out the possibility of the ivy & brambles taking root again (and undermining all my hard work). Bagging up (binning) is not an option as much of the ivy stems are thick and course and likely to rip through the dozens and dozens of bags the task will no doubt require. I am happy to undertake the work to dig up the ivy and brambles and pay for it to be collected.
I hope that this additional information helps, any additional thoughts would be much appreciated.
And what about the rats that live under next door's decking and summerhouse?
Regarding compostability, Even quite fat bits of woody ivy falls apart in the open air afer a mere 3 years. Faster than silver birch. Bramble stems last, what 3 years max? An old and established plant most is already dead and brittle. Still prickly of course.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Like @purplerallim -I'd never try and compost ivy and brambles. Asking for trouble.
It'll all want to grow back, but you can then adopt a weed killing approach as new growth appears, and keep on top of hoeing/cutting etc, depending on how much time you have and how you feel about the different methods of control.
You can then plant up the area or lay turf etc, once it's well under control, according to what you intend doing with the plot, but you'll still have to be vigilant.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's more likely, if there are any as I haven't seen any for years, that they would be coming from the garden on the other side, a jungle with trees 30 years old broken, dead, with ivy, bindweed, elder, and brambles growing through them. The birds love it, but its a pain for me to have two sides of my garden with unloved gardens.🤷♀️
Is there anyone who could chip in and help you @LittleMissElsie?
You could certainly do as @JennyJ describes though - assuming you have that facility. You'd still need some help to clear it quickly enough though.
The alternative is to mow it as hard as you can - if you have a sturdy lawnmower, and get rid of the clippings in the bin. Then if there's regrowth by autumn, at least that new growth will be slower, and easier to deal with on your own.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...