How can I reuse or recycle ivy?
We’ve had an email from Jen & Dave, asking:
We recently moved into a new house that was COVERED in ivy. We’ve pulled most of it off for the sake of the masonry but haven’t got space to compost it all since it takes so long to break down. Any ideas what we can do with the rest?
Sticking to the composting line, your local council tip might have a garden waste area but depending on how they compost it, it might cause regrowth problems there as it does in garden compost heaps.
If it had been later in the year, you could use it for decorating Christmas wreaths etc.
Any other suggestions?
(Photo by Rybson)
Old woody stems of ivy are somewhat prized by flower arrangers I believe, especially if they are twisted into interesting shapes. If you can strip the leaves off, they should compost relatively quickly.
You made an ungreen choice by pulling it down to begin with. It would have saved you cooling costs in the summer.
Offer it to friends. Ground cover is very expensive and someone would be delighted to get it!
Ivy can only damage masonry if the masonry is already damaged. It can’t hurt sound brickwork, it’s not strong enough.
Offer it to someone who can compost it?
Hire a shredder for the day, shred it, and take it to the tip?
Ask your council to come fetch it?
Ivy leaves stay green when dried, so…
– Make birthday crowns(think miniature wreath) to give on birthdays, add fresh flowers at the last minute or dried flowers after the ivy has dried
– Strip it of leaves, then put it in the driveway or on the road in front of your house for a few days, then use the fiber to make rope
Strip of leaves, and make decorative balls out of twigs.