Do ferns planted under trees need fertilizer

Question

Do ferns planted under trees need fertilizer and, if so, what is recommended? Ferns are planted in a stand of oak trees and are being used to naturalize the area.

Answer 1

They don't really need fertilizer, because of the leaves and debris dropped by the oaks. Also many ferns can be damaged by too much fertilizer. If you feel you must, once a year in late spring sprinkle slow release balanced (equal numbers, or 3-1-2 ratio) fertilizer.