And Fiddle Head Ferns (as the fiddle spools are nice and plump, are an INCREDIBLE side dish for a gourmet meal or mixed with a summer salad. I saw some in a local (upscale) grocery last year for $7.99 / pound! If you'inz are lookin' for a nice cash crop. consider the multi-talented Fiddlehead. PS: Country Boy rarely sets foot in such highbrow joints, but it was late winter and was cookin' up some vittles for a few friends and wanted to let them see how we git along down in these hollas, so went in search of some fresh fiddlehead... It's a locally owned store, and not a major chain so I consoled myself with the truth that I was supportin' the local boys as i turned some friends on to the delicious, kinda sweet & nutty taste of fiddleheads. I'm fixin' to spout my own next spring in the green house Here is a link that might be useful: Fiddlehead & Morel salad-

The roots of Ostrich ferns are pretty tough. After transplanting, the fronds may topple, but leave the roots alone until the next year. As long as the subterranean growing tip on the root is alive, it will send up new plants until you have more than you know what to do with. Two years ago, I planted 3, now I have 27! As long as they have lots of water, loose humusy soil, and protection from wind, they will thrive. Be patient. You will be rewarded. The only disappointing thing about Ostrich ferns is that they finish their season so early. By the end of August, they start to look ratty, while other ferns stay looking great until first snow.

That should work but what I do is when one appears that I don't need or want in that spot I dig it up and put it in a sad spot in the yard that needs something growing they shouldn't be a problem,the are what you make of them.

Barbara, I'll take you up on your offer of an ostrich fern. I'd love to try one just to find out what they are. I'll take the JP ferns too if you want to get rid of them. I thought I had killed mine last year, but it's back. As far as a picture of my nameless fern, I don't have a digital camera. So - each frond is on a tall stalk. The stalk comes up out of the ground for anywhere from 18 to 30 inches tall, then the frond sits on top of the stalk. The stalks are vertical, the fronds horizontal. They are a pale green and prolific. Where you have one stalk, you will have 15 or so by the end of summer. They make unstoppable colonies and are delicate and beautiful nodding in a breeze. Can't find a picture on the internet because I don't know what name to search by. Anyone recognize it from this description.