Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Ferns

Mag1noliaMag1nolia Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hello. My garden became overgrown this year with tall, far reaching ferns and I've had to cut a lot down. Can ferns be used to make leaf mould?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes, I expect they could go in with other leaves,  although I just put them in the compost bin.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Mag1noliaMag1nolia Posts: 2
    Thank you very much Fairygirl. That's helpful to know.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Some are tougher than others - the evergreen types for example, like Aspleniums, but I find most of the standard types break down quite well.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    I mow them up before composting, speeds it up and chops up the woody stems 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Bracken is supposed to be a really good source of potash so it might be the same for ferns. Good fertiliser for fruit and veg.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Wilderbeast said:
    I mow them up before composting, speeds it up and chops up the woody stems 
    I have been known to spend a good twenty minutes sitting with a cuppa, and snipping them.... ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2021
    Bracken is highest in potash if you pull in the spring.  What you do if you want to eradicate them.  I imagine that fresh young ferns would be the same.

    Royal ferns used to be the compost of choice for orchids.  Hence they have almost become almost extinct in the UK.

    In my shady garden I have mostly the commom male fern growing at the front of shrub borders.  An idea I got from a Chelsea show garden.  This year they have over-luxuriated, so I am planning in the winter to dig up, divide and space them out.   My woodland bit could do with a lot more.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Ferns make excellent compost for growing ... ferns!
Sign In or Register to comment.