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Removing Large Areas of English Ivy

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Coach s

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey All,
I am looking for some help on best way to remove large areas of English Ivy. Three areas are about 30 Ft. by 50 feet.
I was thinking that I would spray with strongest roundup available then a week later try to remove ivy. For the removal I am not sure whether to rent a tiller or a walk behind Dingo. What do you guys think would be the best way to do the job?

Thanks for all of your help!
 
#2 ·
A garden rake and pruners.

Wait two to three weeks though, you'll get a better kill that way and hopefully the roots will have broken down just a tad, so you can pull it easier.

Don't use a tiller, your asking for problems with wrapping the ivy around the tines.

What is the plan for the area after you kill it off?
 
#3 ·
Depending on where you are, you may be able to get a BOXER mini-skid from The Home Depot. They have an array of attachments that will eat it up. Personally, I would posion is prescribed then just tear it out with a bucket.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I just sprayed the areas really good with roundup.
I think that I will hit it again in a week.
Then wait another week or so and then get Ding with bucket and scrape top layer away.
In the fall I am bringing in some new top soil and then planting grass.
 
#8 ·
I was trying to kill some ivy growing and had no luck with roundup. I mixed it at 4 ounces per gallon of water and it did absolutely nothing to the ivy, all the weeds growing in the ivy are now dead, but didn't even yellow the ivy. Considering what the next step will be in trying to remove this stuff.
 
#9 ·
Tq23 said:
I was trying to kill some ivy growing and had no luck with roundup. I mixed it at 4 ounces per gallon of water and it did absolutely nothing to the ivy, all the weeds growing in the ivy are now dead, but didn't even yellow the ivy. Considering what the next step will be in trying to remove this stuff.
Click to expand...
I've had luck with Roundup and English Ivy. How long ago did you make the application?
 
#11 ·
Tq23 said:
It has been about 2 weeks
Posted via Mobile Device
Click to expand...
I'd give it three and re-apply if necessary. Glyphs take up to two weeks to work and sometimes three for heavily rooted plants.
 
#12 ·
is what you guys call english ivy the broad leaved hedera helix? usually find it takes two good apps of roundup and then a lot of hard work with a spade and fork. wouldnt reccomend using a tiller, spend too much time unwrapping tines and it can cause spreading of the plants little aerial roots on the stems if any survive the roundup.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
It's been 5 days since I sprayed round-up. Not noticing that it did much to the ivy. I will wait a couple more days and then spray again. I am leaning toward
using shovels, rakes and just good old man power pulling the ivy out. We are going to try a section next week and see how it goes.
 
#14 ·
Coach s said:
It's been 5 days since I sprayed round-up. Not noticing that it did much to the ivy. I will wait a couple more days and then spray again. I am leaning toward
using shovels, rakes and just good old man power pulling the ivy out. We are going to try a section next week and see how it goes.
Click to expand...
Ya, you have fun with that.

You need to wait two weeks for any results from the roundup. 5 days isn't enough.

Killing it first is go to loosen the roots for you and make your job easier.

I've asked twice now, but what is the goal. Just ripping it out, or are you landscaping the area. That is something to know in order to give you the correct advice. Basically your outcome is going to dictate how you start.
 
#15 ·
I haven't needed to try it yet, but my local lesco told me you need a chemical with diquat in it (razor burn).They said that glyphosate (roundup) can't penatrate the waxy leaves to get to the actually plant. You need the diquat to burn thru the waxy part tnen the gly can work.
 
#16 ·
Coach,
Do you have a heavy-good running line trimmer?? We have taken our commercial line trimmers with 0.95 line, using face shield or safety glasses and went through a bed.
It takes out about 80% to the nub. Rake out the remains......put in a bag and sell to someone for cuttings. Diquat Dibromide(Reward) is pricey so be aware. Razor Burn which is Glyophosate and Diquat combined will speed up the kill rate. Diquat is a quick contact herbicide and the gly is slower. The leaves will be effected usually in 24 hours after spraying with good kill in a week.
We run a front tine tiller after the majority of the ivy is cut down and raked out. Rake again to get the nodes and runner.........root balls too. Make sure you are aware of irrigation pipes, water lines, electrical-utility lines buried nearby--- always....!!!!!!!
After all is cleared and leveled back out, respray any shoots that should come back in a couple of weeks. You will eventually get all the ivy but it will take time.
 
#17 ·
I agree with Think Green for the second time today. You can tell who has experience in landscaping and who doesn't. Line trimmers and a face shield will do the trick in about 1 hour and then another to clean up. I would skip the gly and just seed if you need to. If you take it all the way down to the ground it will not come back.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
All great advice. Thank you all very much!
I am sorry that I forgot to mention that eventually, probably in the fall the owner would like to grow grass in these areas where the ivy was.
I was wondering will the roundup cause any problem trying to grass two months from now?
Again thanks for all the help.
 
#19 ·
Coach s said:
All great advice. Thank you all very much!
I am sorry that I forgot to mention that eventually, probably in the fall the owner would like to grow grass in these areas where the ivy was.
I was wondering will the roundup cause any problem trying to grass two months from now?
Again thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...
No, no problem at all.
 
#20 ·
I'm doing a similar job and I use brush killer wait a week, brush killer/round up/diquat wait a week, rip it out with skid, spray roundup/surflan (water it in or surflan won't work) then wait a week, topsoil grade seed straw. some say overkill i say no ivy and green grass in a month. i've done many this way. better safe than a rep as a hack who can't kill ivy!
 
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