Thanks, kathyannd, that's pretty much the way I've been thinking. I went ahead and moved it this morning - egged on by the fact that I bought another Autumn Fern a few days ago and wanted to get it planted and out of its pot. So I now have four ferns in a grouping still under the pine, but with a little space for the turkeys to hang out (and land). Now I just have to worry about the five little wintergreens I planted under the pine in June. No turkey damage so far. I've also been watching a miniature hosta (Change of Heart) that was doing reasonable well until a few weeks ago. Something, probably a turkey although it could be a skunk, has been scratching at its roots. I potted the poor hosta up and it's now on the deck with the houseplants for now. If it recovers I'll plant it in an area where nothing bigger than a Song Sparrow visits. Claire

Anyone?

Emily . . . patience. . . ;>) For me gardening in zone 5 has been a series of lessons in patience, for plants to emerge after winter, for plants to grow larger, for soil to dry out in spring, for those tightly closed buds to unfurl, etc. If you dig the ferns up, you will set them back by disturbing whatever root development they have going now. Take a deep breath, step back, and look at what is blooming and emerging now in your garden. If there isn't anything blooming now, look at other gardens for ideas of what to plant. I have learned a huge amount on these boards about extending season interest so that now I usually have blooms from late March through some time in late October, and there are at least some plants that are green all year. Mix deciduous and evergreens, whether perennials or shrubs, so that there is something to enjoy as a backdrop to the wowy-zowy plants. Don't judge your in-the-ground plants by what is in the nursery or big box store. The nursery plants were raised to be eye candy, to be fully developed when they hit the nursery as the weather just starts warming and folks are anxious to be out in the garden. They were probably raised in a greenhouse that's in a part of the country several zones warmer than z 5. If you want to buy some more ferns to add to your patch, fine, but they may be slow to take off and add any further growth for a while since the cold soil that is keeping your current ferns from sprouting will keep the new ones from doing much for a bit. And you will most likely be paying a premium for their current size and leafiness.

Autumn ferns are great in the ground. I have about 5 and they are getting huge and the deer don't bother them. When you plant, try to avoid shock by trying to transfer as much of the root system as possible without disturbing. Water in well after planting and push down gently around to firm it in. Water every few days if it hasn't rained for the first month or so. As why you are having trouble getting things to thrive in the baskets, plants need three basic things - sun, water and nutrition (air is a given). Anyone of these might be an issue. I would start out with completely new soil - the container gardening forum likes something called a 5-1-1 mix I believe. Then, before watering, every time stick your finger into the dirt and test to see if it is dry. If it is moist, don't water or you can drown the roots. If dry, water until the water comes out the bottom. Don't assume if one needs watering, that all will. Test each one - a small difference in sun exposure or plant size can make a big difference in the watering needs. Be aware that if it is very hot, you might have to water more than once a day - especially if your plants get huge and suck up water fast. If these instructions don't work, take a hard look at the light levels (t the last parameter). It might be too dark on your porch. You might then consider planters in front of the porch away from the overhang where there might be more light. A classic hanging basket plant is Boston ferns. They do sell huge ones. They won't survive your winter outside although they can also be a houseplant. I feel they are messy with falling leaves - a personal preference.