Spoiler: of the three ways to deal with Ivy or blackberry roots – poison, smother, or remove. Only removing the roots allows you to quickly and safely replant.
So, You’ve Finally had Enough of the Ugly Blackberry or Ivy Patch on your Property
Getting rid of it has been on your to-do list for a long time, and you have big plans for the new space that you’ll reclaim.
Next step is to:
- start working on pulling it yourself, or
- get bids from landscapers that specialize in it.
It’s not uncommon that you start on A, but after you wrench your back, B sounds better.
Remember that Just Pulling or Cutting the Ivy or Blackberry Isn’t Enough.
You may have heard that you can’t really get rid of it because it just grows back. Not true. It grows back from the buried roots, so if you kill or remove the roots, the plants can’t grow back.
So, when you interview potential landscapers, ask them HOW they’re going to get rid of the ivy or blackberry, AND keep it from coming back. I think you’ll hear one of three answers:
- “We pull it or cut it off, then use poison or chemicals (like vinegar) to kill the roots.”
Since you have trees and bushes that you want saved, and plan to plant soon, this solution is unacceptable.
– next person please… - “We pull it or cut it off, then put down a weed barrier and or mulch.”
Weed barriers and mulch attempt to smother the roots. The problem is that they can’t block all the new sprouts. The sprouts find their way to the edges, seams, or holes (for existing plants or trees). (see the picture below of blackberry growing up at a weed barrier edge) Ivy or blackberry roots can easily travel several feet to find an opening. These landscapers also expect you to leave it undisturbed for months or even years until the roots are finally all dead.
– next person please… - “We pull the ivy and blackberry – roots and all.”
When the job is done, you can add a thin mulch layer if you want, then start planting. The mulch layer is to help prevent unwanted windblown and dropped seeds from sprouting. Or just enjoy the new open space. ✔
