The fiddlehead ferns have furled fronds. Those of a young one, to be exact. A frond is a large divided leaf, and some botanists restrict the term's use to their group of plants. They are green in color. They are harvested for primary use as a vegetables. Before opening and reaching their full height early in the season, they are harvested by cutting them reasonably close to the ground.
Fiddlehead Fern Bloom Time
They bloom in the spring, where they can then be foraged or commercially harvested, thus making them seasonally available. The recommendation is to take only half of the tops per cluster or plant when picking the plants. This makes for a sustainable harvest. The season for picking, however, is short. It is about two weeks in a given area. There are three good identifying characteristics. The stem is smooth and green. They have a deep groove on the inside of the stem, shaped much like the letter 'U.' Lastly, they will have a brown, paper-like covering when emerging from the crown.
Planting Fiddlehead Fern
When planting Fiddlehead Fern, average to fertile soil is critical. All the better if the soil is humus-rich and in the range of neutral to acidic. They prefer light or partial shade but can handle full shade or sun if the dirt is damp enough. They must have moisture. Scorching of the leaves may occur if the soil needs to be moist enough. In the wild, they are found growing by rivers and streams. That gives way to the idea of having an exceptionally moist woodland-style garden. They thrive there if you have a garden bed near a downspout for your gutter.
The Fronds Of Fiddlehead Fern
The Fiddlehead Ferns form a circular cluster of feathery, slightly arching fronds. They are stiff, brown, fertile fronds covered in reproductive spores. They stick up the cluster's center in late summer and persist well through the winter. One final note: let your plants establish for a few years before harvesting.