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"Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:11 am
by Jessiebean
I have just bought a second hand chipper/mulcher and I was wondering if the Ivy I am going to get rid of can be mulched and then used in the compost or if it is poisonous or will grow or.....?
I don't know much about ivy except I don't think I should have the chickens eating it as a way of clearing it... any thoughts appreciated!
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:12 pm
by Thomzo
It'll grow. Whatever you do don't use it as mulch. It'll sprout everywhere and you'll be overrun with it. As a general rule, don't shred any weeds that send out runners such as bindweed, ground elder, ivy, or any climbing plants if you don't want them overrunning the place. Most of them are extremely capable of rooting from even the tiniest cutting. Especially when you don't want them to.
Shredding is best for things like hedge trimmings, fallen leaves (brown leaves) and woody stems if you want to use it for mulch. If you shred soft green stuff then pop it on the compost heap. It'll break down quickly when it's been shredded but the compost heap will kill it and stop it regrowing or seeding.
Zoe
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:02 am
by Jessiebean
I am thinking of pushing it through the mulcher and binning it then....
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:26 pm
by Flo
Get yourself a little brazier, let it dry a bit and have a cosy little outdoor fire.
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:09 pm
by southeast-isher
Is Ivy we get in the UK poisonous?
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:27 pm
by sarahkeast
It doesnt usually have the same affect as the dreaded US poison ivy which melts your skin off, not sure about edible affects tho.
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:04 pm
by Thomzo
southeast-isher wrote:Is Ivy we get in the UK poisonous?
Yes, I think so.
Zoe
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:25 pm
by MKG
southeast-isher wrote:Is Ivy we get in the UK poisonous?
Not really. The berries are a bit on the sick-making side but, apart from that, ivy is a pain in the bum more than a pain in the tummy.
Mike
Re: "Mulching" Ivy?
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:09 pm
by Lentil
If you put the Ivy into black sacks and tie them up, the leaves quickly fall off and can be easily separated from the stems: The leaves can then be shredded or left to part decay and then put into compost bin or wormery (food and bedding): The stems shredded and discarded or I have composted small amounts. *I don't think the leaves alone would/could grow if used as a mulch, but may be best not to use round edible crops though.
Beth