Transplanting Wild Ferns

Question

I wonder if I could transplant some of my wild ferns and hang them in baskets. They suddenly appeared alongside my garden pond stream: http://cranberrymorning.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-pond-garden.html and it would be fun to have some hanging fern baskets in my shaded backyard. Do you think they'd survive? We also have a lot of wild ferns growing in the ditches in shaded areas. I hate the thought of transplanting and simply killing them, so it would be nice if someone had some experience with transplanting wild ferns. :-)

Colleen · Answer

Check the soil condition, some like acidic soil and thrive in moist shady areas.

Patricia W · Answer

We bought alot of wild ferns from a dealer for our nursery. They are pretty hardy, but keep them shaded. They love good rich loamy soil and keep it moist. Cut them back after they die off and enjoy!

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

From my experience wild ferns are best left on the ground and in the shade. Ferns are a great plant and I have many varieties that are in my hosta beds. Good luck with them. If you are going to transplant, I would wait for a day when it is going to rain to transplant. Otherwise wait until fall if you want to take less of a chance.

Judy · Answer

Thanks, everyone, for your opinions and suggestions!

Liz Holland · Answer

I never had luck with my wild ferns in baskets, I keep them in the ground but I bought a couple of Boston ferns that are in pots, on sale 2 for $8, I keep them in shade and well watered and fed and now have 7 or 8 pots after dividing. I put some in my shaded beds to fill in bare spots!

Virginia A · Answer

I'm like Liz, I bought some potted ferns in Florida and kept dividing them over the years. Finally had so many that I planted them across the whole back of my screen room. In NH, I move ferns from my wooded area to the shady area in my yard. Haven't tried them in baskets, but as long as you are putting them in similar areas/conditions they should be happy.

Cindy Mcphetridge · Answer

We live in Oregon where wild ferns abound everywhere and we've not had a lot of luck transplanting them. Every so often they'll take, but they're usually not a sure thing. For whatever reason, they like to grow where they started from! If you do try to transplant them, I'd do it when your're going to have some cool wet weather for awhile and make sure they are in the shade.

Bobbie · Answer

I recently (2 weeks back) transplanted some wild ferns,. We have had a very rainy summer so far and they appear to be doing well. Planted them under a large Bradford Pear. Will keep check to see how they do.

Sandra R · Answer

We transplants ferns all the time. They actually grow out of the bark of our palm tree.

Diane · Answer

I replanted a wild Cinnamon fern. Even though I live in S. Florida, I made sure I dug up plenty of dirt with the roots. It seemed to be very sandy, with a lot of moist natural compost from the woods.

Judy · Answer

I think I'll wait until next spring and then dig up some of the roadside ferns before they've unfurled. There are tons of them, so I suppose if a couple are put in baskets (and kept moist and in the shade) it won't be a total loss if they fail to thrive. Then I'd know for sure and only waste 2 ferns. Still, I always feel a little sad when I kill a plant.

Karen · Answer

I moved my grandmother's ferns from WI to MI and put several in a shaded area. They lasted a few years and then I moved the last three to my berm. They are under my peony bushes and only get morning sun, then are shaded. I water them a lot and treasure them since grandma is gone now.

Kay Love-Wood · Answer

Never had any luck with wild ferns in baskets. There are so many types of ferns that I gave up trying with the wild ones. One of my favors is Japanese Painted Ferm. Look for it, and it comes back and can be divided once it gets some size on it.

Judy · Answer

Thanks. I'm going to stop being such a cheapskate and go buy some ferns in baskets. :-)

Norma Jean Savitsky · Answer

I have been trying to weed my ferns but they break off when I try to pull them out. They are taking over my shade garden. Any ideas?

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

When I weed I wait until it rains so that it is easier to pull out weeds. What ferns do you have? Wild ones? You may want to dig most of the ferns up and transplant them or put an ad to barter for other shade plants this fall. Once a plant takes over, I have found that the only way to remedy the situation is to take the plants out and put something similar back in (I love Japanese painted ferns which spread but can easily be controlled and divided). If you love the ferns then I would suggest leave a certain number of the plants in and dig out the rest and every so often go in an dig;/pull out the extras.

Judy · Answer

I have wild ferns only. In fact, in http://www.cranberrymorning.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-pond-garden.html ferns just 'showed up.' It's so shaded there, and I imagine the spores were in the soil. Anyway, good idea about pulling weeds after a rain. I've done that too and find it much easier. I'll take your advice about the ferns. Thanks.

Judy · Answer

Sounds like the best idea. :-) Thanks LaVerne.

Eric Olsen · Answer

I live in Oregon and have a house on the coast and willamette valley I have 25 acres and have transplanted probably hundreds of sword ferns they transplant very easy in fall through early spring I am befuddled by comments regarding difficulty

Pamela Andres-Sigala · Answer

What are the round looking things on bottom and sides. Look like grapes?

Transplanting Wild Ferns

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Transplanting Wild Ferns

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