Remove ivy in 1 day 'once and for all' with 1 natural item gardener loves using

Ivy plants with their long trailing vines and signature foliage may appear charming, but they can be very damaging. It stains the brick, it grows in windows and screens, it chokes out bushes and trees, and it's incredibly hard to remove and control once it's gone unchecked.

Just like with weeds, when it comes to removing ivy plants from your garden, the biggest mistake people often make is trying to get rid of just the surface of the plant. This is why people often think they've removed it successfully, only to see it come back a few weeks later. The problem with most natural solutions - like using salt, dish soap, or boiling water - is that they don't reach the root zone deeply enough to do any lasting damage, according to the experts at Simple Garden Life. To kill ivy "for good", you must target and destroy its roots - that's where horticultural vinegar comes into play.

Unlike typical home remedies that only damage the surface or stunt the growth temporarily, horticultural vinegar "has the power to penetrate and kill ivy all the way down to its roots".

Horticultural vinegar is a stronger, industrial version of regular vinegar. While household vinegar is typically around 5% acid, horticultural vinegar ranges from 20% to 45% in strength, with 30% being one of the most commonly available and effective concentrations for tough weeds like ivy.

So how does it work? Well, the acid in vinegar burns through plant cells and dries them out. At 30%, the acid is strong enough not only to damage the leaves but also to seep down into the stem and root system.

It is important to note that horticultural vinegar should always be handled with care. The higher the acidity, the more dangerous it becomes. Not just to plants, but to your skin and eyes. That is why gloves, goggles, and a mask are strongly recommended when applying it.

How to kill ivy with vinegar

To apply, fill a sprayer with the 30% vinegar. Use one that can handle acidic liquids, as regular plastic sprayers may break down over time.

Cover the leaves and stems completely with vinegar. Be sure to coat the entire plant. You should see visible signs of the leaves drying and wilting "within a few hours".

Be extremely careful not to spray any other plants or grass nearby. Horticultural vinegar is non-selective, which means it will "damage or kill anything it touches".

Use a cardboard shield or plastic barrier if you're working near plants you want to keep.

However, it's important to be thorough. Any leaves left untreated will continue to provide the plant with energy. That's why covering as much of the ivy plant with vinegar is so important for success.

The experts said, "Within a day or two of spraying, the vinegar will begin to kill the ivy off. Stems will start to brown and dry out. While the top of the plant may appear dead, you should wait at least a week before disturbing the area."

After seven to 10 days, check the plant's condition. If there is still any green or fresh growth, repeat the spray treatment. For well-established vines or deep root systems, it may take two or three applications spaced seven to 10 days apart to kill the plant entirely.

Once everything is dead and dried out, you can pull the plant and its roots out of the ground.

It's a good idea to mulch the area heavily with wood chips or straw after removal. This blocks sunlight and makes it harder for any remaining roots to re-establish.