Ferns

Mag1nolia

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?

Fairygirl

Yes, I expect they could go in with other leaves,  although I just put them in the compost bin. 

Mag1nolia

Thank you very much Fairygirl. That's helpful to know.

Fairygirl

Some are tougher than others - the evergreen types for example, like Aspleniums, but I find most of the standard types break down quite well. 

Wilderbeast

I mow them up before composting, speeds it up and chops up the woody stems 

wild edges

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.

Fairygirl

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....

bédé

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.

Papi Jo

Ferns make excellent compost for growing ... ferns!