Here are two ferns that have gotten very large. I want to dig one up
by
Louise
+8
and transplant it into my side yard and might also want to divide it, as well as the other one. I think I divide it by cutting in between any of the pieces at the ground, right? And how deep are fern roots? Will this be easy to do? And if anyone has tips to how to make all this successful, I'd appreciate hearing them. Will transplanting work now? I'm in Georgia. It's not super hot yet and we've been having huge amts of rain so the soil is easy to dig.
Hi, hope this helps When transplanting ferns, be sure to dig up the entire clump, getting as much soil with it as possible. Lift the clump from its bottom (or root area) rather than by the fronds, which can lead to breakage. Move it to the prepared location and cover the shallow roots with a couple inches of soil.
Ferns grow quickly and survive by putting out runners that produce more ferns. They don't bury deeply since they are usually around trees and the tree roots get the deep regions. Since the fern does not appear small, cut it back to a manageable size and dig all around it. Lift, separate and replant. Baby it for the first year. After that, it's good to be left on it's own.
Hi Louise... I too am in Georgia and it has hotting a little to late to move that plant now.. You can try if you are going to a shady area. But this is something that needs to be done in March or April or in the fall. I would also check with YouTube and see if you can find some suggestions. I wished I lived near you so I could get a piece. Much success but do by all means break it up and you would need to do it no less than every other year. They do get very big without any attention. You look like you have 6-8 good plants there. Remember they do make good gifts.
It's a great time to do it then! Usually, what you see on top is about what you'll have for a root system. After you have it dug up, Just pull the plant apart in sections. You may have to do a little cutting but it should be fine as long as the plant is healthy and well established. Depending on your soil (Georgia clay?) You will probably have to amend the soil a bit. Good luck đŸ‘Œ
Move ferns at the end of the growing season.
Personally would wait till Autumn to do this job..
I watched my neighbor do this, and the root was about a foot down and a solid mass about a foot length and 6" round, but she kept at it till she got it out.... they spread from this mass sending out rhizomes. My friend just made a fern garden with a huge reclining buddha in it thats lovely and I am planning one too...... oregon has lots of ferns.
GA clay is what everyone expects, but my yard is super shady and I never rake up leaves in the fall so over the years it's made my soil super charged! :-)
I have successfully "re-homed" ferns before. Let me warn you, this is by no means a small job. I suggest you get some help. By that, I mean that the root system that ferns put out is extensive. They form an intricate web that is difficult to remove from the ground. It is truly impressive. I would definitely wait until the end of summer when it cools off a bit. Once you replant, keep it moist.
Ferns can be tricky . I've never had great luck , but would move in early spring so plants get established before winter , maybe before they leaf out best . Very wide and deep root ball best , very diligent watering best , plenty of organic matter , but not rotting in water . Part shade a must . Don't fertilize much , maybe a tad of phosphorus on top of soil next yr .