[Nevthedigger]

I am shortly about to dig up my old lawn in readiness for planting, and there is something I need to know. Part of the plot is (was) covered in old ivy. Is this going to be a bad thing to dig into the soil, ie will it affect what is grown there? It might seem a silly question to those who know, but I don't! Thanks in advance.

[WG.]

Ivy is poisonous to some mammals when ingested - that does not mean that it is harmful to the soil or to your other plants.  Even potato haulm is poisonous. Regrowth of ivy might be more of a worry.

Your biggest worry is going to be wireworm from the old grassed area.  Treat liberally with lime and/or mustard as a green manure.

[muntjac]

mark out dig it over ( rotavate ) leave ,, dig it over lime an leave .dig it over as many times as you can through winter .this will move the soil about and the cold and birds will clean up a load of the bugs and beasties for ya ....

[gobs]

I would pull up and loose the ivy.

[Nevthedigger]

Thanks all. The ivy will be going up in smoke on bonfire night, and I will indeed dig it over a few times over the next few months. I have already had two (all timber) bonfires on there, the third will be in a different place which is helping me clear the unwanted grass.
Looking forward to this more and more each day...  

[muntjac]

nice plan there matey