MAG wrote:

Hi folks-

I started a thread in a separate newsgroup and got some good advice to
try this one.

I've got about 250 square feet (I previously reported it incorrectly as
150 sqf) of some nasty ivy in my front yard, and I want to get rid of
it, to open that area up to replanting.

My post in the other newsgroup wasn't specific enough, so let me try
better he I'm not looking to spray Roundup and wait for it to die.
Tried that last year. The stuff is resiliant. What I'm looking for is
tips on physical removal. It's beyond doing by hand!! Believe me I've
tried taking a whack at it that way.

I'm guessing I should rent some sort of power equipment from the local
rent-all center to cut up the vines and chew up the soil. What
equipment would be suitable? I don't even mow my own grass, but I'm
pretty good with equipment in general.

Step 2 presumably involves shoveling out the vine-and-soil debris and
disposing of it. A quick calculation suggests this project might result
in several dozen square yards of the debris. How can I get rid of it? I
guess the best thing would be to rent a roll-off container or something
to heap it into? Any ideas on costs associated with this (Maryland)?

Step 3 involves filling the area with new soil. What are the better
places to get this? Home Depot?

We're trying to bring the project in on a tight budget, but I'll trade a
few bucks for an easier job. What I'm trying to avoid is paying a
landscaper a couple thousand to do it...

Just chewing up the vines with a piece of equipment will not be effective
(the root bits will re-root) and removing ALL the debris will be more work
than hand pulling, not to mention rather pricey. Hire some day labor
(Millionairs Club in this area - the homeless or the chronically unemployed
- $10/hr) and have them dig out the stuff with your basic pick and shovel
and haul it away to a dump or landfill. Unless your HD sells soil in bulk
(mine doesn't), don't buy it there - bagged soil is ridiculously expensive
for what you get. Contact a local landscape supply company or whoever in
your area has bulk soil products and order it by the yard.