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Ferns
Ruby12
Posts: 2,193
I have many beautiful and healthy ferns ,but they are getting far too big.Can I cut them back ?
If I can when would be the best time.I do cut off dead leaves but I wouldn’t want damage healthy growth . Thank you .
If I can when would be the best time.I do cut off dead leaves but I wouldn’t want damage healthy growth . Thank you .
Occasional flights into reality. 
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Ferns that have formed large, mature crowns may be divided.
The crowns are teased apart with two back-to-back forks (watch your knuckles!) and replanted. You can always pot up some of the divisions and keep them to grow or give away.
I cut all my ferns back about now
As for dividing, then again unless it goes extremely cold again. I use a pruning saw to cut throught or a small boader shovel as they are very tought plants
Can some one tell me if I can put shrubs where ferns have been . Do I need to dig compost into soil ?
Ferns can struggle to restablish their very fine roots, so give them a little tlc. Now is about the right time, assuming we don't get a third Beast-from-the-East.