How to Keep Ground Ivy Weed Free

Ground ivy is not always a weed. Some people plant ground ivy to deliberately cover the ground. These plants not only add color, they add a touch of coolness to your landscape. Ground ivy is wonderful way to cover problem areas such as slopes, because it helps control erosion. Ivy is also a good plant to grow in shady areas or under trees.

Even though ground ivy can choke out weeds, there are always a few weeds that will grow through. By being diligent you can conquer those pesky weeds and have a ground cover that is lush.

Install Weed Prevention Fabric

If you are preparing a new garden area to plant the ground ivy, consider installing a weed prevention fabric over the ground. The fabric is made enabling the water to penetrate through into the soil below, but the weeds have trouble growing through.

Quite often, the ground ivy is already planted and growing. Who wants to dig it all up and replant? Not me. So in this case there are a few solutions to choose among. I’ll start with the obvious and probably the hardest solution to the weed problem first.

Pull the Weeds by Hand

Don a pair of gardening gloves. Begin pulling the weeds by hand. Oh yes, I know. It is long, tedious and hard work. If you pull the weeds by hand, getting, most if not all of the roots, you are eliminating the weed and it won’t come back. If the weeds are small or short, grasp them close to the soil and give them a quick pull. For taller weeds, grasp them close to the soil line, but use two hands to pull the weeds.

Sometimes the weeds break off or they do not pull easily. When this happens, water the ground. Water small sections at a time, so if you have to walk on the ground, you won’t be tramping it down and making it hard.

If you have health problems, like bad back, sore knees or if you’re like me, you get down but can’t get up easily, then keep reading.

Apply a Pre-Emergence Herbicide

Apply a pre-emergence herbicide late in the fall or early in the spring before the weeds begin growing. Always read and apply the herbicide according to label directions. If you are still unsure which pre-emergence herbicide is best for your garden, talk to the sales clerk at the store or with your local extension agent.

Apply a Post-Emergence Herbicide

If you wait until the weeds are already growing, then use a post-emergence. Once again, talk to the sales clerk at the garden center or to your extension agent for the one that will work the best for your ground cover area.

Source:

“Controlling Garden Weeds;” Barbara Pleasant; 1997


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