Question From: K. Santen - Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Q: I have a large bed of ivy that was all but destroyed about 5 years ago when I had a new retaining wall built. The contractor told me it would grow back and it has but it is not lush and thick like it once was. The vines are quite long but have very few leaves and therefore the coverage is spotty. In short it just doesn't look good. The bed was lush and very mature when I bought the home so I don't think it is lack of or too much light etc. The bed is on the west side of the house, the house next door is close so I imagine it gets about 4-5 hours of sun a day. Would fertilizer help? What suggestions can you make? - Thank you
A: Kathy, Trim back the vines to three or four inches from where they emerge from the ground. Cover the surface of the soil with a half inch of good quality compost and fertilize with Espoma Plant Tone at the recommended rate on the bag. Water the area and be sure to keep it moist through out the summer. Around the 4th of July fertilize it with a fish based fertilizer. My favorite is Neptune's Harvest Fish and Kelp. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
