Quick Fern pruning question !

I have a fern that's been growing in a north facing shady spot but I think even this has had its leaves scorched a bit recently and or is dying off. Looking on t'internet ferns should be pruned in spring but this is starting to look brown can I prune it now?

 

I prune off any browned fronds whenever they occur. You could also water it and add an organic mulch at the base @Millie16.

 

I'd leave them, so the roots can soak up any goodness/nutrients that's still in there. The fronds may be unsightly, but the plant could still have some green for the months to come. Have you watered it? It may be worth giving it a good splash every so often.
I have a lot of ferns and other plants, my area has been very dry this (and last) summer. Some are already shutting down, but not so many of those are ferns.
For ferns it's not so much called pruning as 'cutting back old leaves' and this mostly done in spring indeed. The old fronds often offer some protection against frost for the new croziers.

 

I’m not sure that there will be much goodness left in browned fronds as they will no longer be photosynthesising. Removing them allows the roots to support any remaining green fronds and reduces the stress caused by drought. It also reduces any susceptibility to pests and disease. The important thing is to keep the roots moist by watering, improving your soil or finding a more suitable location.

 

It depends on whether the frond is entirely browned or just a bit scorched. I interpreted the question as an unsightly fern with scorched fronds and whether it could be cut back to the ground in its entirety. If it's a matter of no more then a few unsightly fronds and just removing those I agree with your answer.

 

“Scorched a bit” sounded to me like there was still some green there @micearguers. Photos make it easier .

 

A shade loving fern in too sunny/dry a site will always struggle more than those ferns that actually enjoy some sun and drier conditions. It's not that different from any other plant in that regard.
Even a north facing site can get late or early sun, depending on what else is around.
If it's in a pot, that also affects how well it copes. How well established it is, and how old, are also factors. I'm assuming this is one you've bought and planted @Millie16 ?
A photo, and more info, will certainly help with advice .

 

Whether the fern is evergreen or deciduous could also be a factor to consider. A deciduous fern may be shutting down early due to lack of rain like the bracken I saw on a walk yesterday. This site is on the top of a windy hill, exposed to sun and on sandy soil where it normally grows quite happily.

 

Apologies for not replying sooner and thank you everyone for your help. Here's a picture! It is in a half barrel I inherited it with the garden, so I don't know if it had been bought or just started growing there. I've kept it watered but obviously this year has been exceptionally dry. As it's looking brown I was wondering if it'll harm it if I cut off the fronds now? The information I can find says to prune in spring I assume so the old leaves give it protection over the winter.

 

There's still plenty of green there, so I would leave it mostly alone and maybe just carefully cut off a few of the most brown fronds, as close to the base as possible. Leave the green or mostly-green ones as they will still be photosynthesising and building up the plant.
Some ferns are evergreen, but I don't know whether that's one of them. If it is, you don't need to cut the whole thing back even in spring, just cut off dead fronds as and when they appear.

 

Lucky you having ferns. I planted three in a nice shady area and the slugs or snails ate the lot.

 

Maybe it's shutting down already and you won't harm it by cutting back and it will all be fine next spring. I would leave it be though. There is still a long way to go until spring. I'd be worried I'm inviting the plant to spend its meagre resources on making new fronds. For watering make sure to keep to a wet/dry cycle, so that the soil is not continuously soaking wet and spends some time going from wet to slightly moist. As we get into autumn the plant's requirements will lessen (certainly with the state it is in). If your tap water is hard try to water it with rain water if possible (and don't worry if not).

 

@waterbut I stopped growing hostas a couple of years ago because they kept getting eaten by slugs and snails.
I replaced them with a variety of ferns. Not one has ever been chewed.
Maybe you need to try a different variety of fern.

 

It could be a self seeded (not sure if "self spored" is a term ) native one. It looks untidy but ok, plenty of healthy growth there.

Personally I'd leave it as it is as long as the untidiness is tolerable i.e. not bang in the middle of a formal manicured garden. Then in spring when new fronds appear, cut most of it down.

If the spot is good for ferns, why not buy some other varieties and have a fernery? They look stunning when growing well.

 

I wouldn't call my fernery stunning but it is my favourite part of the garden. All I need now is a damp, drippy, mossy wall with water tinkling down into a deep, dark pool. A resident toad would be good, too.
It ain't going to happen. Unfortunately, damp on the outside goes inside. Earthy smells inside are not quite the thing