Composting Ivy

When we are out promoting home composting with Shropshire Master Composters we sometimes get asked if it is OK to compost Ivy.

Well, yes of course its a plant, so technically it will rot and it will break down to form a soil like substance we know as compost which is rich in nutrients.  However if you add lots of ivy to your home compost heap you will likely find that it continues to grow in the heap and can spread to areas where you use the compost afterwards which is not desirable.

So the answer is really 'Yes, but with caution'.  To avoid Ivy taking over your compost heap it is best to kill it off first simply leave it to dry out in the sun for atleast a fortnight.

Another approach is to rot it down separately in a tied black bin bag which starves it of air and sort of sweats it down and cooks it and effectively starts it rotting down.  Leave it for a month then add it the mushed up contents to the compost heap when it's mush.