Ivy taking over garden

The only solution that I've found to help (not completely get rid of ) is to keep cutting back and spraying. We've got bindweed and ground elder as well. You could try covering some of it with a plastic bag and lightly crushing the leaves, then spraying inside the bag - to stop it getting washed off by the rain! Lightly crushing the leaves will help the spray get into their system, as Ivy's leaves are pretty impenetrable! Good luck

Glyphosate, Glyphosate! Glypohosate! based weed killer most DIY places do the unbranded product which is a lot cheaper than the named brands.
It does not work instantly as it has to get into the root system. That might take about a month to show any effects. If/when new shoots appear just go over them again. If you cannot do the digging this is really the best option and will just need watering or spraying on.

MiniMouse A very good point about crushing the ivy leaves, they really are very tough. Try trampling on them first. I have recently been waging war on Ivy and Holly seedlings which also need a bashing.

I sympathise! I have a continual battle with the stuff and I am always amazed to see pots of ivy being sold in garden centres.

It is very important to get rid of every scrap of stem, when it is ground cover. Little scraps soon root. I don't think it ever goes completely, but you can reduce it. Good luck. x

Just a quick question about holly, if you don't mind: there are lots of small ones sprouting from near the base of my (several) hollies. I don't think these are seedlings, more like root suckers. If I glyphosate these will it kill the holly tree as well?

Icyalittle I would guess that if the tree is big and strong a bit of glyphosate on the odd shoot will not hurt it.

I find we get more seedlings from the neighbours Holly than suckers try a bit of glyphosate and see what happens.

I sympathise Hulahoop as I have the same problem. Being on the edge of a field with a dyke all around doesn't help . I just keep pulling.

Is it my imagination or are there more mature trees around, on verges etc. tank seem swamped by the pernicious stuff? Has anyone else noticed this?

I'm not sure glyphosate will touch holly, it's as tough as old boots.

If the ivy roots are in your neighbour's garden then technically it's their plant. You need to warn them if you are going to use glyphosate because you are likely to kill the whole plant.

They may be fed up with it as well though