When to Transplant Wild Ferns

When to Transplant

• Wild ferns are transplanting in the early spring, according to Country Living online. Moving a wild fern when it is dormant results in root injury. Ferns have fragile root systems, which break when gardeners transplant them when the soil is frozen. Furthermore, gardeners must transplant their wild ferns before the soil is water logged in spring showers or before wild ferns start growing for the year. Plants receive transplanting shock when moved while they are vigorously growing.

Soil Preparation

• Before wild ferns are moved, their planting site must be prepared. Avoid digging up a wild fern just for it to sit while you remove weeds or prepare the soil. Spray a herbicide around the planting area to kill off weeds. Use a herbicide that contains glyphosate, because it leaves little soil residue. Wait five to 14 days to plant in the area to ensure weeds are dead and the herbicide is no longer active in the soil.

When in the Day

• As with almost any plants, transplanting wild ferns in the heat of the afternoon causes damage to their root balls. Roots can easily dry out if wild ferns are left in the sun. To prevent drying out their root balls, plan on transplanting your fern in the morning. Wrap a moist burlap sack around the root ball to prevent the root system from drying out. Plant the wild fern in its designated planting location immediately after digging up the plant.

Transplanting the Fern

• Press a shovel 6 to 12 inches away from the base of plant to prevent harming the emerging crown and at a depth of at least 6 inches to prevent disturbing the root ball. Push the entire fern's root system through the soil. If the wild fern is large, use a landscaping bar to push the entire plant up. Place the wild fern in its shady planting location. Spread out the roots with your hand on the bottom of the planting hole.