Monday, October 18, 2010

Recycling Nature's Way




Each Year, as Fall ends , I remove the Boston ferns from the front porch.

I buy them from our local farmers co-operative, and with a faithful watering, and the occasional feeding, they grow into huge plants which we enjoy them all season long
They are lush and green, but after the first few hard frosts hit, the leaves turn brown, and I'll transport them to the trees and offer them to the birds as a winter refuge.

I have tried hanging them in a room and watering all winter through, it makes a huge mess, so I've given up, and resigned myself to the fact that each spring as soon as the farmers greenhouse flings open it's doors, I'm the first in line.......

25 comments:

Larry said...

Your ferns are magnificent! L

Anonymous said...

First off, thank you for your comment on Wanda's Weekend Wanderings. Would you be able to plant this type of fern outdoors as a perennial? I planted Wild ferns in my garden this year and so far so good, Im hoping they come back next year.

I like the idea of letting the birds use them though. Have a wonderful week.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Your ferns are amazing, and the I love that you "recycle" them! We used to have them in the office where I used to work and they really do make a mess inside!

I hope you've had a nice weekend Jo!!

Doc said...

I agree with your method, there are just some plants that are annual favorites but are either costly to store or take up a large area in a room or in a greenhouse. Just give them a toss and don't look twice.

DJan said...

They are so beautiful, and I thought they were from last year. I am glad you are able to get them for the entire summer, though. Beautiful!!!

Sharon said...

They look real nice and such a good idea to give them to the birds!

Betsy Brock said...

They are just beautiful! I've done both..let die and move inside. I moved mine inside this year but only because it's survived a transplant to a large pot and a couple of winters inside..although barely. ha. I like your idea..the are messy if they get too dry!

Deanna said...

Lovely plants.

I haven't ever had much luck wintering them. I think you've got the right idea about sharing them and starting a new in the spring.

God bless,
d

Verde Farm said...

Gorgeous Boston Ferns! Your porch is just perfect. I love it!
Amy

Celestial Charms said...

What a beautiful porch!
Maureen

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Jo, I have never had good luck with ferns. They need a porch just like you have --with partial sun and partial shade... I had one one year which hung under a tree in the backyard... I 'tried' to save it during the winter ---but like you said, it became very messy --and never did look good again...

I love yours though... Perfect...
Hugs,
Betsy

donna baker said...

Jo, I did the same thing, year after year. They grew to a fabulous 4' across. They did make a terrible mess, so I bought some plastic sheeting and taped it around them. If you move them into the potting shed or garage, they will overwinter without a mess. I leave a place to water them. But, then I think, just go buy another for $10. in the spring and yet, I just hate to see plants die.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Oh, our ferns just keep on growing until a certain size but we don't change them as we are in the tropics.
Nice courtyard with so much greeneries.
Wong

Anonymous said...

So big plants!!you have green fingers lady!!


wish you a beautiful week:)))

MadSnapper said...

they are gorgeous. my grandmother used to keep hers on a screen porch and cover them, but that was in GA not where you are in the deep cold. good idea giving them to the birds. OR you could ship them to florida and we could keep them year round. ha ha

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Jo
Your ferns are beautiful...very lush and huge. Great idea about putting them out in the trees for shelter for the birds..never thought of that. I have two that I will bring inside now that I've divided them but this time I'm keeping them in the cooler rooms away from the wood heat. You're right they do make a big mess! When I lived in British Columbia I grew one inside..it grew so big that the leaves touched the floor. I guess that's why I still keep trying here in Kansas. So far...not much luck. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Maura :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful, lush ferns! And you can over winter them but you have to greatly reduce the watering and let them totally dry out between waterings.

Susan Freeman said...

What beautiful ferns and I love the idea of giving them to the birds for a cozy winter nest!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

George said...

Your ferns are gorgeous and extremely healthy. I'm sure the birds appreciate the winter refuge.

Barbara Anne said...

Lovely porch, beautiful ferns, and a most excellent idea to give them to the birds as haven from the winter cold.

I've had no success in having ferns over-winter either. Oddly, there are similar ferns in our deep woods that seem to do fine year after year.

Hugs!

Louise said...

What a great idea, to use the ferns to offer refuge to the birds. I may just do the same next year.

Deb said...

All I can say is "WOW"

Dee said...

I am with Deb..WOW...every Boston fern I ever had never made it through the summer. :(

Margaret said...

I think you must live in the perfect fern environment. They look very happy!
Margaret

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

I've heard that you can put them under your house if you are not on a slab of course and bring them out in the Spring and they will come back out. Unfortunately, we are on a slab foundation, but I do love the idea of the birds nesting in them!