I've been growing and selling these for a few years. I've found that to transplant the corm the fall after a good freeze is the best time. They almost pull right out of the dirt. The wild patches I've been visiting for years seem to enjoy being thinned out by having corms harvested leaving individual corms maximum room to expand. Also the center fronds where the spores release can produce millions of new ferns. Pat them on top of potting soil which has been cased with peat moss. There is also a more sterile technique for harvesting spores similar to mushroom culture. But just patting them on peat moss seems to germinate them. In my yard I plant them on the north side of the house where water comes off the roof. I also top dress with wood chips, steer compost and worm castings. Its rare that someone doesn't comment on my fern patch. I've been told its one of the most impressive in Alaska. I may be biased but I've yet to see any sellers with better fern pictures than me. Just sayen.
Thank you for the great ID! We had planted some ferns a few years back that were gifted to us. With your description and visual, we correctly ID'd them and had a few sauteed in butter last night for supper. Thank you you are a great teacher!
Hi Dina, just curious if you're ever planning a follow up/sequel to your foraging & feasting field guide. The only problem I have with this book is that it leaves me craving info on even more plants! It's my all time favorite foraging guide. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us ❤
Hello Tom, thanks for your comment. Ha, I appreciate your positive feedback on my book Foraging & Feasting! It is something I think about.... let's see what the future holds.
Thank you for this information. Do you know if they are high in oxalates? If they are low in oxalates I have a feast to enjoy in the forest behind my house. A few years ago I tasted on raw and my taste buds were not very happy with the flavor.
Hello JoJo, not sure of their oxalate content, but would like to know as well. If you learn, please share here. And luck you, to have this feast behind your house! But cook them first, either blanch and then cook, or boil. Enjoy
MY EXPERIMENT: I'm having everyone on my street GROW ONE PLANT FOR FOOD so this summer, we'll have our first Street Party to exchange all our harvests! We'll go home, create a yummy recipe, then BRING The EATING PERFECT HEALTH to the Victory Garden Party ON Pardee (Our street is actually called Pardee St.). A self sustaining 'Street of Food' to Meet, Greet and Eat with My Neighbors!! A Pilot Project THE WEALTH OF PRICELESS Human Education for The MOST affordable MENTAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, and Humanitarian way to Solve THE PROBLEM! (On my street anyway). If Your Soul Needs Filling, then ground You WILL BE Tilling! My two Slogans: Oregon! The Biggest Neighborhood in America! and Grow It and Know It! WE WILL BE WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL!!! ❤
My childhood forest used to have thousands of ferns and was extremely lush and beautiful until foreign immigrants started harvesting the heads and probably the entire fern and now they are completely gone, not a single one left. :/ extremely sad. Always forage sustainably and inform those who don't.
