Admittedly, the fern looks good with its long, grass-green, finely feathered fronds that sway gently in the wind. When it grows all over the place, you are reminded of a tropical forest. But the fern is not always welcome!

In order to permanently remove the rapidly multiplying fern, the roots have to be dug up

Ferns are spreading rapidly

Thanks to their spores, ferns spread quickly. With the help of their foothills, too, they occupy an ever-increasing territory over time. Therefore, quick action is required if you want to remove a fern.

Mowing - remedy shortly, but not permanently

If you're in a hurry, mow down the troublemakers. But be warned: the roots will survive and the ferns will soon sprout again. If you keep mowing over the ferns every few weeks, they will eventually become so weak that they will die.

Dig up roots - that's a success!

The best way to permanently remove a fern is to dig up its roots (including the runners). Most fern species are shallow-rooted. Start digging up the roots in spring. In the summer, the new spores have formed and are distributed.

Use herbicides - many ferns still come back

Many gardeners swear by herbicides. But with ferns this often makes little sense:

  • Apply herbicides to the leaves
  • Roots usually survive
  • new shoots next year
  • twice application necessary
  • Disadvantage: Damage to other plants, wildlife, groundwater, etc.

Ferns are poisonous

Without asking for permission, some types of fern spread across meadows where grazing animals graze. Even animals sometimes drift off with their thoughts and are not really focused on what they are eating. There is a high risk that they will also eat ferns.

Why danger? All fern species are more or less poisonous. Ferns native to this country, such as the bracken fern, are extremely toxic and you should be careful not to eat them. Whether human or animal - nobody is immune to the toxins contained.

tips and tricks

Once you've dug up ferns, consider sowing the seeds of another hardy plant. With luck, this will grow before the fern can form again.

Category:

Vegetable garden