Once you make friends with them, you often can't get enough of them. We're talking about the ferns. Whether around a garden pond, at the edge of the bed as protection against snails or under conifers as a ground-covering element - ferns can be easily propagated by division.

Fern can be propagated by division; it multiplies itself by seed

When is the best time to share?

The best time to divide a fern is in spring. Just before the new fronds sprout, the fern should be dug up, divided and planted. This is especially true for sensitive specimens. More robust varieties can also be divided in autumn.

Preparation of the ground

Before you start dividing, you should prepare everything to be able to put the divided ferns into the ground immediately. Above all, this includes good soil preparation at the new location.

Generously dig out the planting hole/holes:

  • Dig 30 cm deep and 40 cm wide (depending on the type of fern or size of the rhizomes)
  • Loosen the soil on all sides
  • mix in the rotted compost
  • if necessary add some sand or fine pebbles (drainage)

Properly divide the fern

Now the selected fern can be split. First, it is carefully dug up with a spade or a digging fork. Dig a respectful distance from the rhizomes rather than too close to avoid injury!

Now lift the plant out and shake off coarse soil from the roots. The rhizome should be exposed and clearly visible. The rhizome is divided with a knife or a spade. It is best if each section has at least 2 fronds.

That's what matters now!

The sections are immediately placed in the prepared planting holes or alternatively in pots for growing. Water the root area well. Also in the next few weeks it is important not to forget to water. A fern needs a lot of moisture to be able to root properly. It can also be mulched if you like.

tips and tricks

Not all ferns can be easily divided. Only choose specimens that are already big and strong enough. Use a different propagation method for the other specimens.

Category:

Vegetable garden