Growing a Starter Shade Garden: Ferns and Hostas

Quick‑Start Shade Garden

Two essential shade perennials for beginners: Lady Fern and Hostas.

Plant bareroot ferns horizontally in a shallow hole, buds and old fronds facing up, cover with 1 inch soil. Slow to emerge—patience rewarded.

Dig holes, set roots with buds (growing tips) 1 inch below soil surface. Firm soil, water thoroughly. Mulch to retain moisture.

Keep evenly moist. Mulch annually. Divide hostas in spring every few years. Ferns rarely need division. Watch for slugs.

Combine different hosta leaf colors and sizes. Add spring bulbs (daffodils, scilla) for early color before ferns emerge.

About Garden: Spring Planting in Fresno: Soil Temperature Matters More Than Air; Best Plants for a Shade Garden: Flowers, Ferns, and Ground Covers That Thrive in Low Light; Planting Your Garden: From Bare Ground to Thriving Beds; Planting a Vegetable Garden: Timing, Soil Prep & Crop Planning; 3 Benefits of No-Till Gardening: Healthier Soil, Fewer Weeds, Less Work; Growing Tomatoes in Your Garden: A Practical Starter Guide; Growing Daylilies: Soil Preparation and Planting Techniques; Spring Shade Border Plan: Six Plants for a Spectacular Seasonal Display; Growing Astilbe (False Spirea); Growing Tips for Spuria Irises

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