Most ferns grow well in dappled shade.  
Plant them with the fern's crown clear of the soil.  
Newly planted ferns should be watered regularly until they are well established.  Once established they can be quite drought  tolerant.
Many ferns will cope with morning or late afternoon sunshine, but only a few will grow in intense mid-day sun.  (See our list of sun tolerant ferns.)
Ferns are not particularly bothered by pests.  Slugs will
occasionally eat tender new growth; they especially like Hen and Chickens fern.  Put out slug bait, but generally no need for other pesticide sprays on these ferns.