Terrestrial ivy is the common name of a perennial weed herbaceous plant whose scientific name is Glechoma hederacea; it is very resistant and adaptable, this means that it quickly becomes a weed and annoying weed. It reproduces easily from seeds and can re-grow from cuttings, thus spreading very quickly. Its climbing nature allows it to develop easily from one area to another; it has very beautiful blue flowers, but it is often considered a weed plant and therefore unwelcome due to its ability to grow uncontrollably.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Delete It Manually
Step 1. Identify areas suitable for manual removal
This method is most effective in small areas that have experienced relatively little infestation. The areas where the terrestrial ivy is very widespread require a lot of time and work for a manual removal; in this case, you should consider depriving the plant of sunlight or using chemical treatments.
- If you plan to pluck the plants by hand, you should use gloves to protect yourself, to prevent possible blisters, friction burns and calluses that could form during the work.
- This plant is known to cause itching or skin rashes from contact; wearing gloves avoids the risk of possible unexpected allergic responses.
Step 2. Remove the leaves and tendrils
When dealing with particularly bushy plants, you should cut the leaves and tendrils to easily access the roots; this step can be simplified by giving some "trim" with a pair of pruning shears. Once you get rid of the upper foliage protecting the plant, you can focus on the roots in the soil.
- Store the cut plant material in a pile or put it in a sack for later discarding. If you drop bits on the ground, they could take root and develop into a new plant.
- Avoid this work on windy days, otherwise drafts may blow away some leaves or tendrils which can spread to other areas where you don't want them to grow.
- It is not recommended to use a hoe to break up the soil or penetrate the top layer of the plant, otherwise you may spread the ivy even more.
Step 3. Tear off the roots carefully
When the soil is loose and clayey, extracting the root system is relatively easy and undemanding; however, in some cases, it can be very stubborn. If you find that the roots don't loosen easily, grab them at the top and pull firmly and steadily until they come out of the ground.
- You may need to use a pointed tool, such as a long, flat screwdriver to remove stubborn plants or those with very deep roots.
- Once the roots are removed, you should inspect the soil again; if residues remain, the ivy can grow again.
Step 4. Discard all cuttings and roots
The leaves and tendrils you cut could release new weed seeds, so you must be very careful when throwing them; do not place them in places such as outdoor compost piles, where the wind could spread the seeds or bring the leaves back to the ground.
- Use a rake to carefully sift the soil for possible ivy residues; remember that even small remains can contribute to a regrowth of the weed.
- It should be sufficient to throw the plant you collected in the waste, but you can also consider eliminating plant waste by burning it; However, make sure that it is legally possible to light a bonfire in your geographic area.
Step 5. Add mulch to prevent ivy from growing
Once all the weed has been pulled out, you can avoid the risk of it developing again by applying mulch, such as wood shavings, over the previously infested area. to obtain an optimal result, spread a layer of about 5-8 cm.
Step 6. Remove any possible regrowth
It is not easy to be able to completely eliminate the root system and remove every leaf bearing seeds; in fact, it is very likely that some debris will remain and the plant will start growing again. Every time you see some new leaves reappear you have to tear them off; eventually, you should be able to completely eradicate the plant.
After a few treatments of this type you should notice that the ivy is decreasing more and more, but it may take up to a year before it is completely eradicated
Method 2 of 3: Deprive it of the Sunlight
Step 1. Make her miss the sunlight
Terrestrial ivy, like other plants, needs light to grow; however, it can also live in dimly lit places, such as shady areas. For this reason, if you have decided to kill her by keeping her in the dark, you must completely block the sun's rays.
Step 2. Cover the ivy infested area
There are many items you can use for this purpose; for example, you could cover it with a large piece of cardboard, a heavy tarp, or wax fabric to completely deprive it of sunlight.
- When terrestrial ivy grows among other plants you want to keep, you can consider making a circular hole in the heavy sheet; in this way, you block the light from the ivy, without however preventing the other plants from receiving the sun's rays.
- All the surrounding plants that are deprived of light die together with the ivy; this means that you will probably have to sow your lawn again at the end of the treatment.
Step 3. Protect coverage from disruptive factors
Gusts of wind, animals or other environmental factors can move the cloth that deprives the ivy of light; you must therefore secure it by covering it with earth, rocks or other heavy elements.
To make sure the light is completely blocked, check that the cardboard or tarp is large enough to cover the entire infested area, plus an extra 6 '' margin around the perimeter
Step 4. Wait until the plant dies
In many cases, a week in the dark is enough for it to wilt and kill it, although the properties of the soil and many other factors can delay the process; check under the cover every so often to see if the ivy is dead.
When you see that it has completely withered, shriveled and lost its green color, the plant is probably dead
Step 5. Remove it and clear the ground of what's left
There is a risk that the ivy may develop again even once it has withered; to prevent this from happening, you must remove all plant material, including roots, and throw it in the bin or burn it.
- Be sure to wear gloves when handling or manually removing ivy; many people are allergic to this plant.
- In many locations it is necessary to obtain a permit to be able to burn the plant material, to avoid triggering false fire alarms; make sure you get it before you get rid of the weeds this way.
Method 3 of 3: Eliminate it with Chemicals
Step 1. Choose a suitable herbicide for weeding ivy
There are many that you can use, but keep in mind that it is a very resistant plant to several common treatments; the traditional herbicides that are used against dandelions are probably not strong enough to kill this plant.
- Three-way selective herbicides, often called "trimec herbicides", should be the first to consider, as they contain highly effective special compounds.
- However, be aware that some of these products could harm neighboring plants as well; always check the package label to know all the effects before applying.
- Some chemicals leave residues on the ground for a certain period of time even after the treatment is finished. Such traces could be harmful to children or pets; in these cases, you must prevent them from accessing the area and / or keep an eye on them until the next rain or according to the indications on the product label regarding the half-life times of the active ingredient up to safe levels.
Step 2. Treat the plant with herbicides in the fall
This is the ideal period for the chemical management of terrestrial ivy; in fact, in this season, the plant begins to retain nutrients in the stem and in the root system to prepare for winter. In doing so, the herbicide has a greater effect on the plant.
When using herbicides, remember that large dosages do not always lead to better results; scrupulously respects the instructions on the package to obtain the desired effects
Step 3. Proceed with a new treatment in the spring if necessary
Further spring treatment may be useful to achieve this, although it is not as effective as the fall procedure; this second application is appropriate in case of particularly stubborn or severe infestations.
Step 4. For best results apply the product every year
If you have a field that is particularly susceptible to land ivy infestation or if this plant is quite common in your region, new growth is likely to spring up despite all your previous efforts. In this case, you need to apply the herbicide to the soil annually to make sure the weed does not recur.
- You can also make the soil less favorable by exposing it to the sun by pruning the surrounding plant branches that keep it in shade.
- Even a thick lawn can limit the development of this pest. By sowing grass that grows well in the shade, you reduce the chances of terrestrial ivy developing in shady areas that are typically susceptible to infestation.
Step 5. Use a natural method of control
If you don't want to use chemicals, you can still get rid of the ivy by sprinkling some horticultural vinegar. Among other natural solutions to keep this plant under control, you can consider applying lime to the soil, along with calcium and magnesium; these are substances that raise the pH level of the soil, making it unsuitable for this pest.
Advice
- Depending on the geographic area in which you live, terrestrial ivy may respond in different ways to certain chemical treatments; you have to change product if you realize that what you are using does not lead to positive results.
- This plant prefers poorly lit areas; you should make the garden less hospitable by keeping the trees well pruned to ensure maximum sun exposure.
