My Fern Grove

The weather in California is still beautiful.

We’re having mostly sunny days and it hasn’t rained too much or gotten too cold as yet. So, I’m still fussing around in my backyard trying to PREPARE for next years plan for a beautiful look.

Here’s my challenge. Our backyard has huge oak trees, making it impossible to grow grass, because of the shade from the mighty oaks.

My wonderful landscaper friend, Kim came over to take a look at the situation and suggested that what my backyard needed to become was a “WOODED FERN GROVE.”

Just the sound of it was pleasing to me. She said, “Your oak trees are kinda like a forest. And what do you see in the forest? FERNS. LUSCIOUS FERNS.”

So, I have begun my plan. I’m growing small ferns (because I can afford to buy them at this size!) into big ones, in preparation for the beautiful layout that Kim will assist me with next year.

I had already made a cobblestone circle around my Buddha statue, so I thought it would serve well as a “growing pen.”

I filled the circle with 5 bags of fresh soil, covered the soil with a black mesh that will help keep the acorns from taking root AND the squirrels from wreaking havoc on my ferns. Then, I cut small holes in the mesh and planted my variety of baby ferns.

Buddha likes it. I can tell.

I took a big expensive project and started it with baby steps. It won’t be complete until next year, but I’ve learned patience (in some areas, anyway).

In the meantime, I think it looks better already, just having some bright green leafy plants in the back to distract your eye from the hard clay ground.

This is the before picture. I’ll show you progress reports through spring and early summer as the ferns mature.

After that? Meandering paths and such will be added to make my wooded fern garden grove.

I’m excited.

Post by Cassie