How to Cut Back Ferns

[@ashleyvardy5791]

Is this mainly for outdoor ferns i have a 2 year old boston fern and i started a baby from a stolon. Took forever to start but its finally starting to look like a little fern

[@4mclub330]

I learned this trick a few years ago from Cisco. You have to deal with the "ugly" for a couple months - but it's worth it. All new fiddleheads that grow into beautiful, new fronds :-) Don't hesitate to do this to all your outdoor ferns. Nice video!

[@thehowellgroupatcompass]

Thank you!

[@sammysworld5485]

Just curious, whats the worst can happen if you don’t cut back?

[@loisjohnson7272]

good video, thank you from North Carolina girl,,I never would have guessed to do that because I have my first big beautiful fern

[@thehowellgroupatcompass]

You are so welcome!

[@EvanJHagen]

My dad and I would pick fiddleheads in the spring up in central Alaska and fry 'em up with butter. So good! Like a broccoli/asparagus hybrid. Pick them when you can!!

[@thehowellgroupatcompass]

We still need to give that a try! ;)

[@dylankillinkohlstadt9704]

What happens if you don’t cut them back?

[@jeanweichman2711]

Your video was very helpful. Thank you.

[@thehowellgroupatcompass]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindadavis9917]

I've learned something new today. I didn't know I should completely cut off all fonds, to allow for new ones. My fern is in doors. Thank you for sharing.

[@threadedwithwit]

Glad you got something out of it Linda. For indoor more delicate ferns, you can cut them back as well but they might not have the built up base that some like a sword fern (like in the video) have so go a little easy on them.

[@kytonmanakukalili5460]

Blanch for 5-7 minutes or until hairs start falling off and more if you like your ferns soft. Cut some tomatoes and onions mostly tomatoes for me. Shoyu, vinegar, with a hint patis, some people add sugar, I don't. Let marinate for 3 hours, the longer the better. It's a little different but I like it this way, you can enjoy them cold and save some for later.

[@luvslagos]

I cannot find any information about pruning ferns in the summer when they grow too big and tall. My ferns are getting out of control and blocking my driveway and sidewalk. Summer is in two days. I don’t want amazing growth, lol. My ferns are HUGE.

[@threadedwithwit]

That's because it really isn't a good idea to prune a fern while it is growing - the structure of the plant fronds just does not work well for trimming like that as you can imagine. I'd suggest relocating those beautiful ferns to an area that has the space for them to flourish - glad you have some outstanding ferns. You can always clip the dead ones out individually by angling pruning shears in them too.

[@klandmeir]

For the love of God why aren't anyone posting after pics of these videos?

[@threadedwithwit]

Hi Karl, the reason we don't edit the video months after we made it is because the ferns you see me cut are the "after pics" from the year prior. Good luck on your ferns, you can even cut them back now if you like but you've still got time. If you wait too long and see young fiddleheads popping up, just carefully cut around them.

[@tellnitlikeitis6168]

Good video! Thank you! It was ironic that I pulled this video up to watch! I'm a Howell too!😊

[@thehowellgroupatcompass]

How cool is that? Small world! :)

[@kghomes8125962]

Is this the same for ferns in large pots and all types of ferns? Can this pruning be done with all types of ferns? 0:26

[@kristawilliams6056]

Do you HAVE to trim them back?

[@petrinamcguigan6244]

If I do this to my hanging pots, do I put them in a box for the winter, (we have snow) keep them warm. Do I water them? Any info would help me.

[@richardfowler9901]

Only if it dont rain

[@jilldouglas8250]

Some one said you must leave a frons otherwise you can kill fern.. Is that true

[@threadedwithwit]

No idea who said that.

[@georgedimitriadis549]

Are those ferns Polystichum vestitum?

[@threadedwithwit]

They are called Western Sword Fern aka Polystichum Munitum which are native the the United States upper west coast region. Polystichum Vestitum is not native to this part (Seattle) of the world.