In article , Janet Galpin
writes
The message
from "nambucca" contains these words:



AIUI fresh shreddings etc do deplete the soil of nitrogen initially as
bacteria rot them down, but when the bacteria die that nitrogen
becomes available again. It's not permanently locked up.


--
Its much much better to add the shreddings to your compost bin that way you
get a good mix of nutrients

I understand that, in a perfect world and with more time at my disposal,
this would be the best thing to do. At the moment, however, until I
retire etc, I could do with one or two short-cuts.
Another advantage of putting the ivy shreddings straight onto the beds
is that they should be weed-free whereas the same doesn't apply to my
compost heap. I'm really wanting to know whether I'm creating any
problems for myself in the spring, i.e. that there will be no benefit at
all or even that I might have reduced fertility.
If there is *some* benefit, given the ease of the procedure, then that
will make it worth my while.

If it were me, I would put it straight on to the beds. Any reduction in
fertility will be short lived (and I must admit I've never noticed a
problem although others claim to have), long term benefit will be large.

I haven't used shredded ivy as a mulch, but I do use shreddings and
partially rotted compost, and it makes a huge difference to the
consistency of the soil.
--
Kay Start every day with a smile and get it over with
WC Fields