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Ferns in your garden: shade and peace

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Discover tips for caring for your ferns. Learn about proper watering, spacing, and how to choose the right fertilizer.

Ferns

Ferns are a wonderful addition to the garden, whether you choose it as a biodegradable ornament for your garden or as a container. 

Ferns have gorgeous leaves and can be used as a centerpiece in a glass vase, in a small group of roses, or in a container garden. 

Ferns are slow-growing plants, which makes them suitable for most gardens, but here are some tips on fern gardening to help you get the most out of this beautiful plant.

Tips for caring for your ferns

Ferns are low maintenance and require very little, if any, water throughout the year. They will need their roots to be well established before being watered as they do not have the ability to recover from over watering. This slow-growing attribute is what helps them withstand drought and dry spells better than most other plants. Ferns can handle being crowded, but they will do better with more space between plants.

The fern family has several different cultivars and each has its own unique way of growing. You can choose a softer, slower growing fern or a fern that is hardier and takes up more space in the garden. Both types of ferns will provide beauty and interest, however you need to make sure they receive proper attention and care. Ferns that are overcrowded will begin to lose their shape and color. Ferns that need more room to spread out and bask in the sun will often produce blooms and blossoms that are much more beautiful than those planted in shade.

Ferns

What is the correct amount of water for your ferns?

The ferns require regular watering, but it is better to water them only once a week, unless the soil is very dry. If the soil is extremely dry, the roots of ferns can rot from exposure to the sun without water. Ferns that are in containers, such as pots or bags, are the easiest to care for as they don't need water throughout the day. Watering the ferns once a week with a good quality hose allows you to water only where needed.

Some ferns can survive on just a little fertilizer added to the soil for general growth. If you are just starting out with your ferns, this level of fertilizer is fine. As you continue to add fertilizer over time, you'll see your ferns grow well, but don't reject the fertilizer altogether. Don't add fertilizer if the soil is dry; the leaf stalks of ferns can rot easily. A fern care manual should help you understand when to give plant food and how much to give.

When you're growing ferns in the garden, it's a good idea to add mulch to your garden. A good mulch will reduce watering and weeds. Always mulch before or after you fertilize your ferns. 

Before you apply mulch to your garden, remove all weeds from the area. You don't want any weeds growing through the cracks in your mulch. You can use your garden hose to water the ferns after you plant them.

To give your ferns an even distribution of nutrients throughout the soil, you should divide your plants in half and then lay each half out in rows. The reason for dividing plants in half is so that there is a better light supply for each plant, as well as less competition for nutrients. Ferns don't like to be around other plants and will usually die out quickly if they compete for the same nutrients.

Learning how to care for your ferns is important if you want them to thrive and grow beautifully. Ferns are wonderful plants to have in your garden.

By learning how to take good care of your fern garden, you will be rewarded with a beautiful plant that will add beauty and color to your landscape for many years to come.

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

The best ferns to grow in a shady garden are the Boston fern, horsetail fern, and stag fern. These species are hardy and adapt well to low light conditions, providing a calm and peaceful environment in the garden. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/tips/helechos-en-tu-jardin-sombra-y-paz
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Last modified: March 22, 2024