Boston Fern Growing Conditions

I have Boston Ferns surrounding my porches, 15 total spaced approximately 8' apart. I bought them in May this year. They were healthy and in 10" hanging pots. I transplanted them into 12" hanging pots in June. They have thrived all summer and are now huge, i.e. 3+' across with 2+' fronds. They are on northern and western porches. I created a water/misting system. They receive a 15 minute water/mist every morning around 2 a.m. My wife and I, along with finches (8 families have been born in them this year), humming birds and neighbors truly enjoy them.

The problem: They are far too large to bring into the house this winter. We live in Winder, GA. Winters here are not bitterly cold, but we will consistently have low temperatures in the mid-low 30's from Dec - March. The porches are covered but open air. The ferns hang partly under the porch and partly beyond the eave, approximately 5' off the ground. All the porches are 10' wide with 9' ceilings. Do you have a recommendation for outdoor winter care for these plants? We do not have a green house nor to date access to one. Thus, the porches need to be utilized. I look forward to your input.

Boston Fern - Nephrolepis exaltata

As Boston Ferns are tropical plants, the temperature must not drop below 55 degrees F., or problems will occur. So, if I owned those beautiful plants you described, I would surround the porch with a sheet of 6 mil poly (plastic) and heat it with a base board heater when necessary. A thermostatically controlled heater set near 55 or 60 degrees F. will prevent forgetting to turn the heater on or off.

A temporary greenhouse frame can be quickly constructed using 2 x 4's spaced at 30 or 36 inches apart. The wall does not have to be strainght up and down, but can be built in such a manner as to enclose the ferns. The plastic is than held in place using 1 1/2 inch wide lath nailed to the 2 x 4's with 1 1/4 inch nails spaced approximately 12 or 15 inches apart. Be sure the entire perimeter of plastic is nailed down so that the wind can not flap it about. The temporary greenhouse wall may be fastened to the porch (in some manner) so that it can be taken down easily once warm spring weather arrives. A second layer of 2 or 4 mil poly may be nailed to the inside of the 2 x 4 frame to create a dead air space which provides a good means of insulation, and yet allows the necessary lighting.

This is about the only recommendation I have at this time. I have used this type of greenhouse structure for many years for starting bedding plants. I hope this is the type of information you were seeking.