08/13/2026
This article in The Gardner News has some points that I agree with, and some that I don't.
Its not for everyone, but I wholeheartedly support the movement of folks to replace turf grass with Native Plants, or even to "re-wild" their yard, while at the same time maintaining those landscape choices such that they don't negatively impact your next door neighbors.
I agree that going to a low maintenance yard can allow poison ivy to spread, "And spread. And spread. It grows vertically up tree trunks. It tangles around the remnants of dry stems I left standing last season, and it creeps under ground covers to surface and unfurl in waves along wooded edges. It presses into garden paths to threaten feet in sandals". Discontinuation of mowing allows poison ivy to get a head start.
I disagree that Goats are the answer. While a herd of goats can devour a huge amount of brushy over growth, with poison ivy species, the goats do Not wind up pulling out the roots and ground vines. With the goats having just removed all of the competition from the area, poison ivy roots quickly push up new growth to take advantage of the new easy access to sunlight.
After the goats come through, having a pro follow up a few weeks later to slam dunk the poison ivy would be a wise choice!
Learning to identify poison ivy is something many New Englanders pick up at a young age. Dealing with it, however, still demands creative solutions.
