For ground ivy, cover it with heavy-duty black plastic for at least six weeks during the hottest part of summer. The sun bakes the ivy into submission. It’s like putting your yard in a slow cooker—except the end result is crispy, sad vine chips.
I tried this once, and a squirrel dug under the plastic. The ivy fought back and actually grew more aggressively. That squirrel is now a super-villain in my backyard lore. If you do this, weigh the edges down with bricks, rocks, or the guilt of past gardening failures.
