fiddle heads

[Fox]

Does it matter what type of fern?

There is so much swamp around me now I should be able to find some this year but I want to make sure I do not get something that could hurt me.

[chris1395]

Does it matter what type of fern?

There is so much swamp around me now I should be able to find some this year but I want to make sure I do not get something that could hurt me.

You want ostrich ferns. They are most easily recognizable by the deep u shaped groove down the inside of the stem, and they grow from a brownish raised clump. Once you know what they look like they are easily recognizable. It's easy to spot them later in the early summer after they are fully leaved out then rememeber where they are for next year. Do not eat them raw as they can cause stomach discomfort, they need to be cooked. From what I've read all ferns have carcinogens in them but ostrich ferns seem to have the least amount. I have been checking and there is nothing out yet around me, they seem to be running a little behind this year.

[terrym]

Does it matter what type of fern?

There is so much swamp around me now I should be able to find some this year but I want to make sure I do not get something that could hurt me.

Here ya go.

[trappermatt]

mine haven't even started yet

[Fisherman]

Ostrich Ferns come out as multiple shoots, Bracken Ferns are single shoots.

[Fox]

I have a ton of ferns that were planted at the front of the house, they were right against the porch so I cut them back to nothing last year, they have big brown bases with many shoots coming from one root ball. I think they are ostrich ferns, they sure looked like this http://ontarioferns.com/main/species.php?id=4027.

I guess I should move them to a place that I actually want them and let them grow.

[Rugger]

Turns out Bracken ferns are not the ferns I thought they were. Looks like bracken ferns can't easily be mistaken for fiddle heads because they grow as singles and don't really form a "fiddle head".

Turns out they are commonly eaten but lots of debate over the safety of doing so.

Young bracken fern:

Interesting article on them:
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...killer/241271/

Fox, Sounds like you've got a patch of "true" fiddle heads. Are they up yet?

[BIG MAC]

Rugger I have a Patch in my back yard """Port Credit""" and still nothing, supposed to warm up next week and they should sprout hopefully by next weekend......

[Fox]

Turns out Bracken ferns are not the ferns I thought they were. Looks like bracken ferns can't easily be mistaken for fiddle heads because they grow as singles and don't really form a "fiddle head".

Turns out they are commonly eaten but lots of debate over the safety of doing so.

Young bracken fern:

Interesting article on them:
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...killer/241271/

Fox, Sounds like you've got a patch of "true" fiddle heads. Are they up yet?

It is still getting cold at night, down to 0 last night.

I have not seen any green pop up from these ferns yet but the grass is barely starting here, the only thing I see is the dandelions starting.

[BIG MAC]

checked mine this morning and just barely breaking through. fox if you read my other post you'll see I started with 1 ostrich fern myabe 7 or 8 years ago and have over 100 now, and probably 30 in my neighbors yard, ( good neighbors ). so watch for them sprouting up anywhere within 5 -10 feet of where they are now. My backyard is sandy soil and think this is why travel so easily underground.

Sure lookS beautiful when you have a 100 of them that are over 4' high. joked that I cold lose my grandkids in there.


Also the trick is to only cut 1 or 2 off each plant. or that is what I was told.