Ivy - how do I get rid of it?

[OnlyTheDepthVaries]

That's it really! We are clearing the huge garden at our new house and there is a lot of ivy growing around and up trees and shrubs, and across the lawn. Do I rake it? Cut it? Dig it? Kill it with fire?
Same problem with brambles.....

I have recently cleared several estate car fulls of the stuff. The best technique I've found is just taking huge handfuls and then applying weed killer to the woody bits left in the ground. Even then the blasted stuff still tries to grow back.

Good luck!

Digging! Use a fork rather than a spade.

One advantage is that by digging out the ivy you are preparing the ground for some better plants.

I agree that digging with a fork (and never a spade) is the best way.
Don't bother with the poison, you'll just end up poisoning the ground.

Rip it all up then forks away!

Brambles are more difficult, as roots can go REALLY deep, and ideally need to be dug out, without breaking off which could allow to grow back.

Thank-you all. I have a fork and I'm going out there! Wish me luck!

Cut near root and apply weed killer

Cut it near the root - but don't try and pull it away from anything like brick work. Let the vines die and fall away.