“We have too long forgotten the magic powers of nature. The time has come to call on them again. Remember: all the magic of creation exists within a single tiny seed.”
— “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” quotes (1992)
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When I first conceived this project last fall, I expected it to take 3-5 years to complete. I think that’s still a pretty accurate timeline. At conception, the small target hillside was covered with poison ivy, sawtooth briars, and other vines and weeds. So my initial task was to begin clearing the hillside. Last fall, I sprayed the area with herbicide to eliminate as many undergrowth plants as possible during the late fall and winter. I don’t particularly like using a herbicide, but I didn’t know another method to give the same results under these conditions. This initial spraying worked surprisingly well but still requires spot spraying and selective weeding every week to keep the area clear. Poison Ivy doesn’t give way easily. This ground maintenance will likely continue throughout this year and possibly into next year.
Due to the ongoing weed and poison issues, I planted these first ferns at the bottom of the hill where there had been less poison ivy. However, I plan to eventually spread the ferns across the entire hillside once the nuisance plants are no longer a significant concern. I’m curious to see how the ferns fare during the upcoming winter, as I experienced some loss of fern settings last winter.
There are nine ferns of at least five different types: New York Fern, Boston Fern, Braun’s Holly Fern, Japanese Painted Fern, and Autumn Fern. There also might be an Ostrich Fern in the mix as well.
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I can fully relate to your poison ivy issues. The woodland behind our property is filled with it, and so it spreads quite easily into our backyard. It’s hard to pull because the roots break so easily as you already know. I finally went with an industrial strength vinegar, salt, and dish soap mix – basically a DIY herbicide, and did only spot applications. Like you it was a last resort just to get things under control. I avoided using it around our trees and now I mostly just manually pull the new ones. I can spot all its forms pretty easily now. My biggest issue was the dogs running through it and then transferring it to us or the couch, etc.
It looks like your starter ferns are doing very well. I imagine you can’t wait for the entire hillside to be filled in! Looks like it has the makings of a very Zen place.
I initially considered the DIY vinegar, salt and dish soap mixture but with the heavy growth; I thought I’d have to use so much of it I’d probably end up salting the earth. ;-) I’m hopeful after a vigilant year, the worst will be behind me. Fortunately, I have only had a minor patch of poison ivy on my skin thus far.
In general, the ferns are thriving, and if the weather allows, I plan to add a few more this autumn.
Probably wise idea. I resorted to it because I was tired of pulling over and over. Then I tried some special herbicide specific for poison ivy which only lasted one season and grew back in the same spot. Then I used regular strength vinegar mix, and it also grew back. When I upped the strength of the vinegar, it didn’t come back in the same spots. But I used it sparingly as I didn’t want to harm tree roots. I think the test is still ongoing. Much of it didn’t come back this year, and what I have found I just hand pulled.
I am impressed with this garden project and see it as quite a success. I will look forward to seeing it a couple years. I can imagine what you grandchildren will have to enjoy some day. I was wondering how you faired with removal of poison ivy. That is something I never have had to deal with. I think this garden looks wonderfully inviting. I can see it as one of your sanctuaries, and Bonnie’s.
Thank you, Monte. I am interested to see how we will manage next winter. I plan to add some pine needle mulch to them in late fall. With any luck, we can update each other on the project’s progress in three to five years! :-)
I will look forward to that!