How to Grow a Fern Garden

Ferns make a lovely, feathery addition to any garden.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shield lady fern
• royal fern
• deer fern
• maidenhair fern
• Japanese painted fern
• hart's tongue
• spleenworts
• organic mulch
• high nitrogen plant food
• shovel, hoe and roto tiller

1. Since many species of ferns are protected and cannot be removed from their native environment, you should purchase all of your plants from a nursery. Ferns are really picky about the pH in their soil. If your ferns are lime lovers, they will not grow in acid soil. The same holds true for the acid lovers, they will not grow well with lime lovers.

2. The area where you are going to have your fern garden will need to have soil that is very rich in humus, the soil is loose and well drained. The area needs to be dug up by hand or with a roto tiller to between 9 and 12 inches. Add a layer of compost mixed with bonemeal about 3 inches thick.

3. Place each fern deep enough that its crown is level with the soil and then water well. Peat moss, dried leaves or another organic mulch should be spread around all of the plants to help to retain moisture and help control those nasty weeds.

4. An example of how a fern garden might be laid is to put the largest varieties, shield, lady, deer or royal ferns, in the center. These can be surrounded by middle-sized ferns such as Hart's tongue and the Japanese painted fern. On the outside of the garden use small ferns such as maidenhair and spreading ferns. If you want color added to your fern garden, you can plant some wild flowers or bulbs.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not pull dead leaves off of ferns that are not evergreen in the fall - leave them until spring.
• Do not use a rake because the roots of ferns are very delicate and close to the surface.
• If the weather is very dry, water very heavily three or more times a week.