Since the glyphosate is absorbed through the leaves, it might be best to thoroughly spray the leaves first. There are a lot of roots which will take a lot to kill. When I did my hill, I started by pulling and cutting the vines because I didn't want to use poison. I changed my mind on that. It has taken a long time because the new growth is killed and the roots have so much energy stored they keep coming back. I am making progress. Sometimes the herbicide is a good thing.

I'd start with a hoe. Round up isn't all that effective for things with deep roots.

^ or waxy leaves.

It is good at holding a bank, though. What is your plan for after the ivy is gone? What's on the other side -- is the ivy presenting a problem over there too?

Thanks everyone! @nickel_kg by holding a bank, do you mean retain the hillside soil? I did wonder about as I want want to to start eroding as I tear this stuff out. My plan was to plan more native bushes/succulents/plants. The other side is the neighbors yard. I assume they are just beating back the ivy every month.

There is some in the neighbors and some behind the house. I will almost be certainly having to continue to battle to keep it back. The other option is to embrace the ivy but clean it up

I'd be afraid of what's in there, so I'd have someone else tackle it. I'd speak with my neighbor's to let them know what I'm going to do and see if they are on board.

You may need to do some research on glyphosate for English ivy in particular. English ivy has thick, waxy leaves that herbicides have difficulty penetrating - check with your county noxious weed contacts or state university extension contacts on current recommendations for herbicide with English ivy. English ivy is fairly easy to pull up by hand, just time consuming. Try a small section before deciding what method to use. I did this research at one point and decided in my case it was better to just pull it manually.

My approach for manual removal:

• use pruning shears or the edge of a garden knife to cut through the roots of the ivy to make a manageable section (a square or rectangular strip works well)
• pull the ivy in that section directly up. It will have more give if you pull directly up than at an angle. If it resists pulling up, check that it’s not tangled with tree roots or some other plant roots.
• roll the ivy into a tight ball and wind a loose root end around to tie it in the middle, like a spool of yarn.