Bracken

[paul]

Does anyone know if it is better to add green bracken to your compost pile or wait until it starts turning brown. Cheers !!

[TPeers]

Doesn't bracken contain a growth inhibitor chemical? I didn't think you composted it - cut and dried it gets used as a mulch sometimes.

I think you need someone with more knowledge than I have.

[cajary]

Hmm. I'd go along with T here. I was told never to compost bracken.

[Lesley Jay]

I have had a read and you can compost bracken. Green bracken contains nitrogen and brown bracken is carbon rich. Both compost better when shredded.

[runnerbean]

Hi Paul and Cajary, Have a look at www.forestry.gov.uk I googled today and found The forestry commission did some trials in the Autumn in the New Forest about composting bracken, some of it is quite interesting.

[cajary]

Thanks, rb. That was interesting. Should have known about trials like that in the New Forest, shouldn't I?

[greengirl]

Hi never thought to compost bracken, thanks for that. I trust from previous replies it's okay to do. I am surrounded by the darned stuff, keeps coming up in my potato patch ...

[DavidT]

A word of warning, the spores on dry bracken are carcenogenic, so ALWAYS wear a mask and gloves when handling.

[greengirl]

Oh lordy, thanks David.