I have ferns that have taken over an otherwise nice bed of camelias and junipers. The ferns turn brown and die back in the fall making the bed ugly and messy. I have pulled them out, cut them back and used roundup(carefully),but in the spring, they come back and choke everything desirable out. How can i get rid of the ferns?
2006-10-09 04:07:50 · 5 answers · asked by sandlapper 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Ferns have a primitive vascular system and don't conduct chemicals well, hence Round-up didn't work. Digging is the best way and anytime you see a new fiddlehead coming out of the ground prune it off. If you keep the green off it will eventually die because you will be preventing photosynthesis.
2006-10-09 05:34:30 · answer #1 · answered by college kid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way I can think of is to completely dig up all the soil in that area, and introduce new top soil....... Im surprised that Round-up did not work for you, maybe get the one where you concentrate it yourself and try making it stronger. The main ingredient in these herbicides is a chemical GLYPHOSATE. Maybe try another brand. I also heard about using gasoline, not lighting it just dumping it but then I heard that sometimes nothing will ever grow there again.
Or put a large piece of plastic down and cover for a season... And it will strangle the ferns allowing them not to grow. But it could have an opposite effect considering ferns love the shade. And you run the risk of damaging the other plants.
2006-10-09 04:21:26 · answer #2 · answered by Kit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Collegekid has got it right on.
Persistence and time are what is required. Dig up the ones you can, and keep those you can't dig out from developing any foliage. Just pull it off. You might have some luck with an organic non-selective herbicide (vinegar and lemon juice). I believe that works by chemically burning the foliage. I'm not 100% sure, but it might help as well. Again, becareful with that product, it can damage the desirable plants.
Good luck-
2006-10-11 10:14:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have looked and found very little but if you post your question at the site below an expert from a Certified Nursery will answer your question http://www.buffalo.com/askOurExpert/AnswerPage.aspx?ExpertID=12
2006-10-09 04:32:50 · answer #4 · answered by steamroller98439 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you can put a type of chemical to kill it or you can move
yourself to another area around your house and make a new flower bed.
2006-10-09 04:18:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋