[not a clue]

Hi i have just been given the opportunity to work a bit of land. The land is very steep with some fruit trees already there (roll on the perry ) a lot of it is also covered by ferns and bracken which i plan on clearing to make some small terraces (its too steep for big terraces). Ive no idea what is plantable at this time of year or what to do with the ferns? can they be composted? any suggestions and ideas are welcomed

[elibump]

Try looking at John's monthly list on the home page for what to plant when.  Other than that I don't know - but someone who does know better and understands compost will be along soon to help & advise.   

[AnnieB]

Initially it would seem OK as they produce a fair bit of greenery to break down. But now don't think that composting bracken and ferns is a great idea.
They have seeds on the leaves so you are effectively putting the seeds in a compost heap and they seem to like that enviroment.
Wondered if they could be shredded and did a search and found that there is a possibility that they can be carcenogenic.
Guess that the simple option is to dig them up and burn them, or burn them and dig them up.

[digalotty]

in aldi or lidle they are doing a pack of 6 different seeds called winter vegetables and they are all plant now they are, 
carrot          autumn king                         sow march-july       harvest august-november
kale             dwarf green curled                       may-july                      november-february
cabbage      offenham                                     july-september            january-april
turnip          ----                                                    march-july                   may-october
swede         ----                                                   april-july                       november-february
onion          ishikura                                            march-june                   may-october

i also got another pack of 6 called healthy leaf vegetables
spring cabbage       pixie                       late july-early august             march-april
oriental leaf salad                                 all year round
chard          bright lights                       april-august                           july november
spinach                                               september or feb-may                    dec-jan june-aug
rocket salad                                         april-september                         may-october
lettuce         all year round                  feb-september                            march-october

these should get you started both packs £4

[mumofstig]

Terry Walton from the Jeremy Vine radio prog and in his book(lovely memories of his youth) composts bracken from the hillsides around his allotment..no problems reported

http://www.gardening.co.uk/i-dd-1021-daa-1/My-Life-on-a-Hillside-Allotment-by-Terry-Walton/

and at Kew

At both Wakehurst and Kew, bracken compost is collected from local nature reserves

[aelf]

there is a possibility that they can be carcenogenic.

It's the airbourne spores from bracken that are (suggested to be) carcenogenic so properly composted bracken should be ok. If memory serves, bracken preferes acid soil, if so, might be worth adding some lime first.

[Trillium]

I was concerned about the spores as well. Unless you know ferns well, you may well be adding them at a time when their spores are ready to fly and you'll have young ferns everywhere later. There's an old saying: If you don't know, don't.
Or, at least make their own compost pile so that any mistakes can quickly and efficiently dealt with.

It's not too late to plant carrots for a small and tender late crop; spinach, lettuce and chard will give yields later. A few spuds will give a small and tasty yield later.
I wouldn't get too involved in what you can plant as you'll have more need to properly prepare your soil for next season. As all the actively planting members can tell you, it seems to take ages to pull out perennial weed roots, clear out debris and rocks, amend the soil, mix it all in and keep amending. Compost bins need to be made, netting cages made and cold frames made, etc.

[hamstergbert]

Get a nice fire going with whatever woody bits you can find and when really burning hotly quickly pile the bracken and ferns on top then before the smoke can annoy too many people shovel a layer of dryish soil on the top.  add to the layer of soil until most of the smoke is contained then leave the pile to smoulder away for a few days.  Kills the spores nicely.

Be a bit careful when working with bracken though - often infested with ticks that can give you Lyme disease and some other nasties your life is not improved by experiencing...

[duriancake]

Regarding the seeds suggested above, the ones from Aldi were £1.99. I saw them yersterday and bought one which contains a set of 6 different seed packets. I think there were altogether 4 different collections on offer. I hope to sow these ones in August when the onions and brassicas have been completely lifted. Pic enclosed for your interest.

All the best!

[Mitsy]

poundland had the same kind of packs of seeds 

[aelf]

poundland had the same kind of packs of seeds 

How much were they? 

[peapod]

poundland had the same kind of packs of seeds 

How much were they? 

Im not too sure..but I reckon Ice will know 

[Piccolo]

I realise you want to get rid of them but would it be possible to rehome the ferns?  Could you have a wildlife-friendly area somewhere nearby that you could move them to (might attract beneficial wildlife perhaps - frog? toad? hedgehog?) or perhaps one of your neighbours might be interested in taking them if they like wildlife gardening?  Just a thought - seems a shame to burn them... 

[Ice]

Im not too sure..but I reckon Ice will know 

They're £1.59 with a permanent 59p reduction.  Bargain.

[peapod]

Kerching