How to Grow Ferns
Ferns are one of the few plants that don't flower. They reproduce by spores on the underside of the leaves. Ferns come in lots of different sizes and shapes, ranging from no more than a few inches to giants 6 feet tall. Most ferns prefer shade and lots of moisture but not boggy soil. Ferns can be frost-tender, so pick a variety that isn't, or plan to over-winter the ferns inside. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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In the Garden
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1
Locate the ferns in a shady bed but not densely shaded, such as under the low hanging branches of an evergreen tree. Dappled shade is fine for ferns like maidenhair. Too much sunlight will burn the ferns and dry them out.
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2
Test the soil. Ferns prefer acidic soils rather than alkaline. If you would prefer not to try to change the acidity of your soil, and it can be difficult, remove the soil and use it someplace else in your garden.
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3
Add 3 buckets of peat moss and 1 bucket of sand to the area where you removed the soil. Mix thoroughly.
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Remove the ferns from their pots. Dig a hole the same size as the pot. Place the fern in the hole and push 1/2 inch of soil up around and over the soil in the pot.
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Keep the soil moist but not boggy. Ferns prefer well-drained soil and don't like to sit in water. Water when needed, depending on rainfall, temperatures and humidity.
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Remove the ferns from the garden and bring them inside when temperatures drop below 60 degrees on a regular basis. Or leave them in the ground to freeze. They'll decompose over the winter and add organic material to the soil. Replant when temperatures warm to more than 70 degrees in the spring.
In the House
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Place the ferns where they will receive bright light but not direct sunlight.
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Mist the plants every few days, if the air in the house is dry. During winter, central heating tends to lower the humidity in the house. Another solution is to group the ferns and set their pots on a tray filled with pebbles. Add water to the tray but keep the level below the tops of the pebbles.
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Water when the plants start to dry out but don't let them dry out. Use your finger to test the soil. If the top inch feels moist, wait to water.
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Feed with a water soluble fertilizer once a month at half-strength. In other words, if the directions say to add a tsp. of fertilizer to 1 qt. of water, use 1/2 tsp.
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Tips & Warnings
Some ferns, such as asparagus ferns, are misnamed. They aren't really ferns and require different growing cultures.
When growing ferns inside, make sure the pots have sufficient drainage holes.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
