Question
I have macho ferns planted in the ground in zone 8.  Should they be pruned back to ground level in the spring?

Answer
Becky hi;

I would prune back only those leaves which are showing visible frost damage, and only after the last freeze had passed.  Some years, you will prune almost all the way down; some years, maybe none at all.

Obviously, when you prune, you want to use clean, sharp shears and make a quick snip as close as possible to the base of the frond.

DC