[Kleftiwallah]

I have a standard size water butt hidden by ivy.  I need to clean out all the gunge from the rooves that has gone into the bottom of the water butt.  When is the best time of year to cut back the ivy to extract and clean the butt and hoping the ivy will recover (and recover the butt)?

Cheers,   Tony.

[crh75]

If your water butt is anything like my fences you will find it is covered in ivy again soon after you remove it regardless of the time of year!

Being serious, the best time will be winter when the plant is dormant and you don't need the water as much.

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for that sensible answer chum.

Cheers,  Tony.