Boston Ferns

At our house I like to keep things simple.

I pretend like I know what I’m doing with gardening but I really don’t.

Honest.

Sometimes we’re just lucky things survive.

For example, the kids’ poor fish have been neglected so badly. The water needs to be changed and who knows when they last fed them.

Well, I just checked and they’re still alive but I really must change their water tonight (sigh).

Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about gardening, and not fish, today.

For the longest time, I struggled trying to figure out what to use in the antique urns in front of our home. We don’t get tons of sun and everything started off looking great and then swiftly died. Then I learned about the Boston Fern.

Um, why did no one tell me about them?!?!

If you like to keep things simple, they’re gonna be your best friend.

My mom and dad just gave me these gorgeous ones for our entry.

All you have to do is water them a bit every day and they will thrive in your yard.

They stay this gorgeous green but will keep growing throughout the summer and into the fall. You may remember just how fabulous they looked last year after being in our yard (through drought) all summer (see below image) for our fall entry.

I still need to plant potato vines and we just put down loam and grass seed (so we’re hoping our front lawn looks beautiful later this year).

My friend Jill asked me advice for her back deck and I said without even thinking for a moment, “Boston Ferns”. They instantly give any space a classy and relaxed vibe. On our back deck I like to mix in some flowers too, but already have 4 Boston Ferns out there.

I picked up these fun galvanized buckets at Bent Nail Farm Antiques over the weekend. I thought they’d be perfect with leafy ferns.

Aren’t they pretty? Colin gave me a tip which I’ll also pass on to you. When looking at vintage and old galvanized buckets and watering cans, hold them up to the light and you’ll be able to see if there are any holes in them.

The square bucket had one but the round one didn’t have any.

I placed some beach rocks at the bottom to help with drainage, filled the buckets with loam, and added some organic plant food. Then watered.

Ferns in galvanized buckets add a little bit of farmhouse charm even here by the sea.

Max was very curious about the new additions to the yard. I have them up high so he doesn’t pee on them. He actually peed on one I had in the house (sigh). Nothing’s perfect here at our house.

Poppy was just so happy for the sun and for Max to be leaving her alone. Ha! Ha!

If you’re looking for a new plant to bring home this year. I hope you give Boston Fern a try, but they quickly sell out, so pick them up while you still can. You’ll often see them with the hanging plants. Right now The Home Depot and The Fresh Market have them in stock near us.