Bracken Challenge

Bracken pulling heros

A huge thank you to two bracken pulling heroines, Judy Rous and Pam Murphy. For many years now, when they have been walking their dogs on Little Lynchmere Common, they have stopped at their adopted patch and pulled up bracken. Leaving the bracken in a tidy pile to the side. Judy and Pam often compare notes on who has pulled out the most stems in a morning or afternoon. Join us for a morning event Bracken Bashing and learn more.

Bracken Bashing starts 10th May, 10am-12pm

This year we hope to host bracken clearance as both morning events and also a monthly evening event. (We could hold this fortnightly if anyone is willing to help out with hosting the events). Please register your interest via the Volunteering form below and/or join the Bracken Bashing WhatsApp group.

Meet at:
Google maps
What3Words

Why don't we like bracken

Bracken is a native but invasive species that creates a thick layer that smothers heather, it inhibits generation; creating a monoculture. The most effective way to eradicate bracken is by pulling it up over three or four successive years in the same area.

How to pull bracken

We recommend gloves as this pesky plant can be sharp. If you grab it in two hands and slowly pull upwards the shoot normally gives. If you pull sideways on, it often snaps and you only lop off the top. Another observation is the younger shoots almost always snap, so it can be better to wait a day or two, and then pull the whole thing out when a little larger.

When to pull bracken

Spring through Autumn are the best times. Once it has turned for Winter the effort has less value.

There is some evidence that raking the bracken at the end of winter helps, but we have not managed to arrange any events like this.

Raking bracken near the tail end of winter is a brilliant low-tech, chemical‑free way to knock it down a peg. By stripping away last season's heavy, dead brown fronds, you lay the ground bare and leave the dormant rhizomes exposed to whatever nasty weather winter has left to throw at them.

If you fancy getting more involved and wish to help us in the battle with bracken, why not become a Volunteer Leader.

Last year we hosted multiple sessions to discourage the bracken. Approximately, 20 plus volunteers pulling and piling it up for collection.

We are experimenting with cutting it (mostly with a scythe) on the right-hand-side (facing down hill) of the path, and pulling it up, to the left of the path. There was early evidence that pulling was far more damaging, as the braken had grown less dense and less high between sessions.

The bracken will be removed and used by our local veg farm, Ed's Veg. The fronds make a good mulch and a soil improver.

Feel free to continue to pull, pull, pull away here, or any spot you feel you have a connection with.

Go for it.
Feel free to pull Bracken in areas close to the footpaths. Please leave in tidy piles next to footpaths. When the pile gets big, let us know by sending us a Google drop-pin or a What3Words location. Make sure you are wearing gloves as it can cut your hands easily.

You too can become a bracken pulling Hero

If you would like to help, or are perhaps a bit competitive, or if you walk your dog regularly on any of our Commons please feel free to pull, pull, pull up the bracken.

You can do it alone, or in a team or with your school. Simply email us and adopt a patch. Let us know and we can judge the winning zones.

Ed Brooks, of Ed's Veg, would love to collect the piles of bracken to help fertilise his crop. It's a win win for conservation.

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