How can I control ground ivy?

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Question

How can I control ground ivy?

Additional Details

Started from a few small plants about 18 years ago, ground ivy (English ivy?) has taken over a large part of our backyard and has smothered vinca and other ground cover plants. It’s climbing about 15 feet up a big oak tree and spreads onto the lawn at the rate of about 2 feet each year - I clip it back. What is the best way to control the ivy from spreading further? To pull or dig it all by hand would be a very big job.

Answer

There is a spray that will kill evassive vines or you can use Round Up, but it is not selective. If sprayed on other plants will kill them as well. Using a large piece of cardboard so that the plants adjacent to the ivy are not sprayed will help. I’ve knew of someone that took a heavy black plastic (6 mil that comes in a roll)cover the bed and wieght down the edges. That starved the plant of light and most moisture. The time it will take to kill the vine will vary…checking under the plastic every couple of weeks to check on the progress. When the roots dye it will be much more managable to remove. You want to be carefull if you use this method not to completely cover the ground under the Oak. Do it in sections. You will with either method still have to physically remove the plants.