Copyright 2026 @ Lori-Ann Willey
Bracken Ferns vs. Bracken Ash
As written about in PART 1, bracken ferns are just bad news in a garden, and their long, sneaky-sneaky rhizomes that creep under everything, steal water and nutrients from the plants you nurture so lovingly. They cast shade, hog space, and they put out chemicals in the soil that slow or stop the growth of other plants. When they die back, they leave a thick, cold mat that smothers everything, and not only that, their tough fibrous stems love to trip me up when they die back. With all that said, I love 'em. Beautiful they are...just not in the garden as a plant. As ash, well, that's a totally different story. 
Live bracken ferns are extremely beneficial in the garden as an ash. They burn quick and easily in a fire pit, and the ash breaks down beautifully once added to water. Bracken ferns as ash all their trouble disappears! The fire destroys the nasty compounds, and what’s left is clean mineral ash — mostly potash (a natural source of potassium that helps plants flower and fruit) and trace minerals. Used right, it actually helps your garden instead of harming it.
I mix the ash into water to make a mild “ash tea.” The ratio I use is 1 cup of ash to 3–5 gallons of water. If I want a stronger mix, I stick closer to 3 gallons. If I want it gentler, I stretch it to 5. That’s basically 5 tablespoons per gallon for the strong stuff, and 3 tablespoons per gallon for the lighter stuff. To use, add the ash to water, stir, let it set at least 24 hours. Give it another stir, then let the heavier stuff settle, and use the clearish liquid to water your plants with. Water at the base of the plants or between rows. This method is fast-acting and the plants will start sucking it up quickly. I found the plants appreciated a regular watering first, so I like to water with ash water after a rain. That order seems to work better.
The stronger mix gives plants a bigger mineral push — more potassium, more trace minerals, a little bump in soil sweetness. It’s good for the heavy feeders once they’re really growing. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, cukes, pumpkins, brassicas (cabbage family), garlic, onions, peas, and string beans all perk up with it. Herbs like sage and thyme don’t mind it either.
It is fair to note, that this ash will sweeten the soil, so avoid using on/around any plant that likes a bit (or a lot) of acidity. I only start using ash water once the plants are established — not tiny seedlings. Best time is right before they start flowering, then again during flowering and early fruit set. For peas and beans, I wait until they’re climbing and putting out blossoms. I water with ash tea every 2–3 weeks, not every watering. Depending on time of harvest, this fern ash can have anywhere from 25% to 55% potassium to your plants.
That’s it. Bracken ferns are bullies when they’re alive, but their ashes make a decent little natural garden fertilizer your plants will love when you mix them right. Around camp, these ferns pop up EVERYWHERE so I am able to mix up a fresh batch every few weeks. Win-win!
Please ask questions and/or leave comments on the camp page. Thank you.
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