Sure you can trim them; if there are pretty fronds, leave them and trim the ratty ones. You might already see some new fronds coming up, so watch out for them. A good deep soaking might get them going.

I'm sure they can take a fair amount of morning sun, but limit any sun after 12-1 pm (at least in Georgia, the Massachusetts sun may be kinder in the afternoon!).

Thanks esh...sounds good. I think even here in MA the afternoon sun is too much for a fern. I will be careful to place it correctly, I would hate to set it back and have it take the whole summer to look good again.

Your suggestions will help a lot... :-)

pm2

If your fern has been in the same pot all winter, you should probaby put it in a bigger pot, shake off all the loose potting soil and replace with fresh potting soil and some organic matter. Ferns are not heavy feeders, but people often forget that they can't keep feeding on the same old potting medium forever, especially if you want it to generate new foliage.

Lainey