I've got a ton of ivy sitting in this lovely pile, and I just hate to throw it out, but I know if I let it sit here some little part will survive. Maybe if I made sure the pile was really, really hot all the time? Or is it just not worth it?

I put stuff like that into the city recycle cans (or any type of trashcan) close the lid & let it bake to death. then I put the dried out stuff in the compost. So nice of the city to supply me w/ all these big compost bins, w/ wheels to drag to the various parts of the yard & hold stuff till it's ready for the pile. ]

Oh, very good idea!!! Thanks!