Wednesday 26 August 2009

A short sharp obsession

I'll start with a long one, like many wannabe and real gardeners am truly obsessed with bind weed. I could merrily spend hours pulling it down, and one of my most favourite things is a giant bundle ripping off in one go. I'm not sure the bind weed battle is one I can ever win, but the satisfaction won't end...

However I've been increasingly aware of a new garden menace; our ivy, which actually seems a bit poisonous. Not as bad as 'poison ivy' in the American teen books of my youth which must have been a special USA only irritant I think, but still not nice on your skin. So I've been slowly pulling bits down, trying to avoid the crazy haunted house look really, but also not liking the stuff. I've now noticed nearly every bit has gone both up the wall and fence, and down and along the ground - underneath other stuff. And the bits on the fence have sort of feathery sucker bits that stick themselves to the fence.

It's pretty indestructible, and it is determined to live and bear its bloody fruit. And I am thinking of it too much, and seeing it. Soon I'll be axing it.

5 comments:

Why Me? said...

Garden gloves an idea? also most ivy will spread from one or two main trunks, find those and cut them then leave for a couple of weeks and it'll be much easier to remove.

Sandra Morris said...

We have the opposite problem.

I have been trying to coax some ivy to tumble over a brick wall in our garden with limited success.

I thought it thrived everywhere but apparently not. I could take some rooted bits off you and try again with your obviously much more vigourous species.....

Anonymous said...

Why Me -I do wear gloves, but little bits touch my arms - oh and my les if wearing inadvisable flip flops. Good tip for the trunks - just have not made the definitive remove decision as there is so much.
Sandra - seriously you are very welcome to some. We have LOADS. In bits all over the garden. Send me an e-mail if you fancy an evil thiving kind. Mind you, you have not got little ones - apart from Small Dog that is, so am sure would be safe. (bevhousehastings@yahoo.co.uk)

Kate said...

Did you get rid of the ivy?? Remember when I got keen with the gardening at our house in colliers wood, I stripped off all the ivy from our 6 foot high Victorian garden wall and the whole wall collapsed two days later - I think some things are best left alone! Not sure if you can get comments from august as not sure how thisworks - Jules sent me the link to your blog and it's very funny, keeing me entertained whilst I wait with Robyn at the oasis leisure centre for David and abi. Such a lovely cafe!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kate - and Robyn is a lovely name. Hello Robyn.
And no, I forgot your ruining that wal. Glad you told me as am still eyeing the ivy with hate.