WE have just moved house and there is an established ivy growing up the back wall of the garage that I would like to remove. What is the best way to do it?

I HIGGINS

REG SAYS: You can try to kill the plant off using a systemic weed killer such as Round-Up Root and Stump Killer or Vitax S.B.K.

However if I was presented with your problem I would go about it in a different way.

First of all I would cut through all the main stems, using secateurs or a small pruning saw, leaving a decent stump which I would treat with either Growing Success Deep Root or the above mentioned Round-Up Stump Killer. Both of these are good stump killers which operate well at this time of year and all you need to do is follow the instructions on the pack.

Meanwhile, the rest of the plant which has been severed from the root system will gradually die with the foliage turning brown. Once this has happened start to strip off the stems, you may find that one of the flat bladed wallpaper stripping tools is a useful aid to beginning this process. Even after the stems have been removed you will find the remains of the clinging aerial roots still adhering to the newly exposed brickwork and there is no easy way to remove them. I’m afraid it’s down to elbow grease and a wire brush, as they are usually very persistent.

I would check on the general condition of the brickwork before starting to pull off the severed stems as if the mortar is loose it can sometimes come out with the roots.

If the brickwork was in good condition when the ivy started climbing it usually serves to protect it rather than do it harm.