ZeroZero wrote:
Hello All, first post here!

I am a passionate gardener, but have lived in a flat for the last 20
years. I* have recently bought a house and have a largev overrun
garden. I want to grow veg and I have a site partially prepared. I
have eight raised bed kits ready to go. They are about ten inches
deep.
Previously the ground was infested by a large bramble (as big as two
apple trees) and underned this was an infestation of common ivy -
the
wild hedgerow type. I have dug out the bramble (it was like
struggling
with an alien monster) and I have removed the crown. The remainding
roots are treated with glyphospate. I have given similar treatment
to
the ivy - glyphospate and then raking off the surface - which was an
intertwined with a network of tangled stems. I intend to dig out as
much root as I can muster but it wont be all of it as there are
thousands of roots.
On top of this must go my raised beds - eight in all. Now here is my
question.
I could line my beds with plastic sheeting and this would surely
stop
the ivy resurfacing, but I am ruluctant to do so as the deeper
rooting
crops would only have ten inches to play with. I would prefer to dig
over the topsoil under the bed, then add some leafmould (which I
have)
and then some horsemanure (free from local riding stable, then a top
dressing of compost.

Now ivy seems to be quite surface rooting, if I do this, will I find
that it rises from the dead and makes it way into my riased beds,
or,
will it simply give up and go away? I dont mind so much if the ivy
reappears between the beds as I shall pave this area anyways.

Whats Ivy like? Is it a persitant foe, or does it die if you keep
cutting it back? How deep is its root structure?

If you find the answer, I'd like to know. I removed the ivy from my
rear yard over 10 years ago and still have sprigs poping up ever
spring - pulled out 5 within the week.

Tom J