Early last Spring, as soon as I could get to the spot freed of snow and ice, I tried to clean a long row of ferns, under which gravel, dead leaves and pine needles have been accumulating for years. It's getting heavy and ugly, not to mention it eats up at the driveway.

But I noticed as I was trying to pick up/shovel that mass of debris, partly clumps, partly hummus, I was breaking lots of little fronds... or snail like things allready growing through. So I stopped, scared of not having that beautiful summer refreshing row of ferns to greet me.

And I got it, all summer...

I'm hoping now someone can tell me if I would cause damage this time of year (early Fall - zone 4a) if I was to cut the ferns (even if they're still nice and green) to finally get to clean under ?