Well mine I let dry out top inch or two between waterings.. don't like to be too wet.. I feed it diluted miracle grow about every other watering.. they do like a little sun ... of course mostly shade but it needs an hour or two of dappled sun a day at least.

ah, prolly that's the reason why they're not growing well since they don't get sun from the area I planted them. I've never watered them in 2 years. I just let nature do it. I will also try putting fertilizer this time.

Thanks! :)

There are scads of different types of ferns and many have quite different growing requirements. And some grow very slowly. It's not really possible to tell what might be up with yours without knowing what kind it is. Photos??

FWIW, the majority of ferns prefer to grow in moist (not wet) shade......a woodland setting. Some will tolerate very dry shade conditions (as they grow naturally under the canopies of large trees). Many will grow in nearly total shade. I've never fertilized a fern in my life, other than mulching. Not sure there is much wrong with letting nature do it :-)

ps. the 'spikes'/leaflets are usually referred to as fronds.

Ok, I will take photos tomorrow. It's currently raining too.

Looks like near the back border will be a good place for my ferns. :)

Fronds! Thanks. :D