Got a compost bin? If not get one and put all your veg left overs,some grass cuttings(not too many) and cardboard-i find the toilet roll tubes are great for this! Also egg shells for calcium and to keep the pH up. At the end of the summer you should have nice brown compost that you can dig in to the bed. I use two bins in rotation so i always have some ready(in theory at least!)

Ferns will tolerate a range of soil compositions.
Essentially, simulate the conditions in which the ferns species naturally grow.
Woodland ferns, like native dryopteris species, grow in hard red dirt and fairly
dry conditions.

You've got the right idea. Work some organic humus or compost into the
soil directly (maybe even some gravel/large grit if drainage is really
an issue). You could also add oyster shell and alfalfa pellets to get the
soil ready. Then mulch the area with fine bark, fir needles, et cetera,
along with the straw and other leaves you mention, on the planting area.

When I plant ferns, I like to stage them with mossy stones near the crown that
helps shade the soil and the fern as it establishes.

Josh

Josh I dug up the compost left from when I moved my compost pile and it was great stuff. I mixed it in wih some garden soil. Plan on planting them today.
Jill

Great! Get them into the ground quick and keep them cool and moist, and all should be well!

I don't suppose you might be able to share a pic?

Josh