The £1.25 Sainsbury’s buy that’ll kill stubborn ivy with barely any faff – and even gardening pros swear by it
IF you’ve got stubborn English ivy that you can’t shift, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
English ivy can cause havoc on gardens, houses, and trees but a gardening expert has said there is a very simple way to banish it once and for all.
Not only is ivy invasive, but it also steals nutrients from neighbouring plants, and becomes a haven for pests, as the thick, dense foliage is appealing to rodents and spiders.
But rather than using a toxic weed killer to get rid of English ivy, there is a natural alternative that can be used instead.
And don’t worry, you won’t need to go out and splash the cash on pricey products – in fact, with this simple solution, you probably already have the answer in your cupboard.
According to gardening expert Paul Nicolaides of Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners, households can use rock salt to get the job done.
He said: “Ivy has a serious dislike of rock salt especially when it comes into contact with its inner parts.
“If you have a stubborn ivy plant which has a thick base, rock salt will help to kill it.”
To carry out this method, gardeners first need to saw the ivy plant off a couple of inches from the soil.
Then, you must drill a wide hole vertically down into the stump and fill it with rock salt.
If you don’t have any rock salt in your cupboard, you can buy it from many local supermarkets and high-street shops.
You can nab it for as little as £1.25 from Sainsbury’s, at Asda for £1.70 and at Tesco for £1.80.
It is important that you seal the top of the stump with robust tape in order to create a tight seal.
Paul claimed that this will then “draw moisture away” and “corrode the cells” of the plant.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
After this, you can reapply the rock salt every seven days until the English ivy dies.
In most cases, one or two applications is enough to kill even the most stubborn ivy.
6 Spring Gardening Jobs You Can Do in 60 mins
A gardening pro, or just starting your planting journey? Nigel Lawton, a gardening expert at Dobbies Garden Centres has shared the six jobs you can do to transform your garden in under an hour.
1. Tidy up
Remove dead leaves, neaten beds and borders, remove any seeds and apply a good layer of mulch over the surface with organic peat-free compost. TIME: 60 mins
2. Design beds and borders
Trim back winter flowering plants where blooms have started to fade. Start by removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches, and get rid of any branches that cross over, Nigel says.
Then prune summer flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Lavatera and hardy Fuschias to allow room for new growth. As well as encouraging new growth in the plant by removing dead material, pruning will also allow you to control the height and shape of your plants. TIME: 50 mins
3. Create a cosy patio
If you have a patio, transform it into a cosy socialising spot.
Start by giving that a good clean with a jet wash to quickly complete the job in under an hour. You can further liven up the area by adding some garden furniture paired with some cushions, some throws, and an outdoor rug. TIME: 30 mins
4. Refresh pots
To enjoy instant colour in your garden this spring, Nigel recommends refreshing your pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes with early season flowers for a country garden effect.
Plant in threes or fives to create a impactful display with small, medium, and large plants of different heights beside your door. TIME: 15 mins
5. Lawncare
Another beginner-friendly task you can do to spruce up your garden is taking care of the lawn by cultivating the soil and making sure the area is level and firm.
Rake out any moss or dead grass, and apply lawn treatement in late spring. TIME: 15-30 mins
6. Welcome wildlife
Spring is the perfect time to welcome wildlife into your garden as small animals come out of hibernation and new birds hatch into life.
To ensure your garden is a safe space for wildlife, Nigel suggests dedicating a small section of your garden to creating a wildlife-friendly habitat with pollinating plants and places for small animals and insects to shelter.
You can create a safe space for them by stacking branches in a shaded spot to help protect them from the elements. All of this can be done in under an hour. TIME: 40 mins
But gardeners using this method must be sure to protect any plants surrounding ivy as rock salt can kill them too.
Once the plant is dead, the roots can then be dug out easily, which will prevent the plant from returning.
Do you have big boobs and struggle to find clothes that fit? Shop Fabulous’ Fuller Bust Collection NOW.
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.