We are in the middle of some serious landscaping around the house (after almost two decades of neglect) and part of it requires access to the side of the house, the only way to do that is removing either a fence panel or the water tank. I'm opting to remove the fence panel as it's much less work however it has a fern (actually two of – photos included) also in the intended access way.
My question is how much work is it to dig up these two ferns and are they likely to survive the move. Most likely I would like to pot them in case we want access to the area again, but leave them in the same general area.
The ground is almost constantly moist, gets no sun ever and is mostly a heavy clay.
They sprouted on their own shortly after we built the house, and have survived many years just sitting there so it seems a little sad if I can't save them.
by Euphor_Kell
5 Comments
I’d def try save them!!!!!
My MIL dig up some ferns, brought them across town in plastic bags. We neglected them for a couple of weeks then finally planted them and they survived. I think you are in with a shot.
They aren’t too hard to dig up at all
They happily transplant, just make sure to prepare the new space (pot or ground) and ‘soak the new area’ before ‘soaking the area the plant is currently in’ (help loosen the soil up) and then digging it up and transplanting it into the pot/s.
Amateur gardener here, so heed advice with caution… if you are going to dig them up and pot them, dig as wide and as deep as you can to minimise disturbing the root ball. This will also ensure that the root ball is fully encapsulated within the soil it has been happily sitting in for years. Transfer over to the pot with good drainage at the bottom, centre the plant and fill out remaining space with more soil from its original location if possible.
No guarantee of success but you’ll increase the likely hood of the plant surviving the transition. Also, hopefully someone far more knowledgeable than myself sees your post and can clarify best course of action.
All the best either way…
These are native, can’t remember what they’re called but I found them easy to prop. Dont delay once they’re out of the ground and keep them moist but not soggy.