You would need to know whether they are hardy ferns or not. If they have been grown indoors they may not survive a winter outdoors. If you can post a picture of them for ID or identify them yourself using a book or the internet, then you are pretty close to answering your question.

Likely they are boston ferns which are not hardy when left outside in your area and that is why your neighbor trashed them. They could be half brown because he/she left them out when the weather went below 35 degrees. They would have to be overwintered in a garage at least.

Someone told me to cut my Boston Ferns back and remove from pot and plant in my garden watering well and covering with a heavy layer of leaves. Has anyone ever tried this? Thanks for you help.