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Bracken uses - Jimny14 - 26-07-2020

I have a fairly substantial patch of bracken in one corner of our garden, it's not in the way of anything so I'm not too concerned about getting rid of it but I am wondering if it's useful for anything. I normally just chop it up and compost it but if anyone has any more uses for it I'd love to hear it thanks.


RE: Bracken uses - Roitelet - 26-07-2020

Chopped up it can be used as a mulch, but be careful when you cut it as I think that the spores are carcinogenic.


RE: Bracken uses - Mark_Riga - 26-07-2020

Compost is the best use for it. I think Dalefoot composts take a couple of cuts a year but as Roilet says, you need to know when it is dangerous.
Dalefoot use it mixed with sheep wool to make the best peatfree composts I have found so far:
https://www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk/our-products.aspx

The RHS on bracken:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=445

I think it gives off spores in late summer so early summer should be ok. I cut it down one year after it had turned brown and covered beetroot to keep off frost. It worked well but didn't keep rats away.