How to Remove Weeds From Ivy Beds

Overview

Most well-established ivy beds don't have major weed problems, but newly-planted ivy beds can be quite susceptible to weed invasions. Because ivy beds are usually thickly planted with ivy plants, you can't use most herbicides because these will kill the weeds and the ivy plants along with them. Your only option is to pull the weeds by hand. Perform your weed removal in the springtime, when the weeds are first sprouting, and are small and easier to remove. You can also take a few extra steps to prevent the weeds from coming back.

Step 1

Water the ivy bed to moisten the soil the day before you weed. This will make the soil softer, making it easier to remove the weeds and all of their roots from the soil.

Step 2

Lift up the trailing ivy to see all and any weeds growing around and beneath the ivy plants. Grab each weed firmly at the base of its main stem and pull up gently to remove the weed plant along with its roots.

Step 3

Remove all the weeds you can find in the ivy bed. Wait one or two weeks and pull any new weed seedlings that emerge. Discard all the pulled weeds and their roots.

Step 4

Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of bark mulch on the ground around your ivy plants. Simply lift up the ivy runners to access the soil below and spread handfuls of mulch to cover the soil surrounding the main stems.