How to Transplant Ferns

Ferns are lacy, primitive plants that do well in shaded, damp areas of your garden. Ferns come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, suitable for most gardens. Hardy plants, they are easily transplanted as long as certain conditions are met. Spring is the best time to plant or transplant ferns, reports Fine Gardening, but if you buy ferns in pots, they can be planted any time.

Things You'll Need

Compost

Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Wait until spring to transplant your ferns to give them the most time to adjust to their new locations.
- 2
  Water the fern thoroughly the day before you transplant it.
- 3
  Work 4 to 8 inches of compost into the soil with a shovel to give the plant plenty of nutrients to grow.
- 4
  Dig up the fern with a shovel around dusk or on a cloudy day, as this allows the fern to retain more of its essential moisture. Dig up the fern with a generous ball of its own soil.
- 5
  Dig a hole at the new location deep enough to comfortably seat the root ball. The fern should be the same level above the ground as it was before.
- 6
  Place the fern in the new hole and firm the soil and compost around the fern's base.
- 7
  Water the fern thoroughly.

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