We had lovely weather again this morning so I decided to get into the garden again and attack the giant ivy bush. I’d looked up online that April is the time to prune ivy, so I’ve been anxious to get it sorted out.
I wasn’t sure if the ivy monster was growing in our garden or if it had come over the back fence and just attached itself to some other shrub.
Once I got in there far enough to see, it turned out to be the latter. But it’s been allowed to grow for so long that there are good size branches amongst a tightly packed tangle of twigs.
It was wrapped round this other plant that currently has pretty reddish pinkish flowers. I don’t know what it is yet, but it’s been doing it’s best to grow despite being swamped in the ivy.
My plan is to cut the mystery shrub back once next year we get to later winter/early spring, but for now I’ll leave it alone.
The back fence essentially is ivy is so old and swamped in the stuff, so I don’t want to remove all of it, I just want it back to a point where it’s under control and the other plants have breathing room.
It’s grown about 10 feet fall in places and I couldn’t get the very top of it with my pruning saw… I nearly attempted it but decided it’s probably safer to wait until my partner can help me catch it… And potentially borrow my Dad’s mini chainsaw.
I got a lot of it down though. That was satisfying! My neighbour who was out painting her fence was quite pleased with my effort, especially since some of it encroaches on her shed too!
The worst part was chopping it all up so I could pack it into the garden bin. I did have to get in the bin to stamp it down to make enough room!
I now have space to get behind the shrubs, aside from the giant pile of forsythia cuttings from February I still need to either cut for the bin or take to the recycling centre. Once I’ve done that then I can get to digging out the blackberry brambles and remaining unwanted ivy!
Good progress though! I think in another month everything should be feeling more under control and we can start planting some prettier things.
I am tempted to go out and do some more today, but my partner insists I relax at some point this weekend!
Instead I might catch up on some more book reviews and draft my thoughts on the Fallout TV show. Or, perhaps try the “healthy cookie” recipe I saved a while ago.
