Marianne's Response

How To Kill Ferns In The Middle Of Summer

I have hardy ferns that have underground runners I am trying to kill, I don’t know the variety they have killed out irises and pop up all over the yard. They are not like any other fern I have ever seen. It is the middle of summer in Ohio and cutting the top off the stalk just makes them continue to pop up other places and in flower beds and the lawn. They have invaded a 20 foot area or more how can I kill them without spraying toxic chemicals? I garden organically, but after years of trying to get rid of them and contain them I am getting desperate would you recommend?

Posted by Grey Brown on June 27, 2025

Marianne's Response

Are you sure this is a fern and not horsetail? If you send an image, I may be more helpful. Meanwhile my best tip is to wait until a very hot and sunny day is forecast. Then get up in the early morning and cut the stems on all these "ferns. " The cut stem will ooze out moisture and bleed to death from the heat, killing off some of the roots. These persistent weeds will most likely return, but if you keep cutting at least three times during the summer you should get control by starving the root system. Good luck and Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti

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