I have two lush pots of fern that sit on my covered but otherwise open front porch. The porch is tucked back somewhat so it may be a cozy nook. The ferns are there year round and seem to do just fine through the winter. They're evergreen.

Mine are about 6-7 years old and have, of necessity, been split and repotted a couple of times. Not sure if the "original" plant is still in there somewhere.

If your porch doesn't work, how about looking around other outside areas of your home. Next to the house to get reflected heat? Tucked under a tree or sheltered by a shrub? In a nook between your outside AC unit and the house?

Since you've thrown your ferns away previously (ouch!), you have nothing to lose by trying to winter over the beautiful ones you have now.

I'm farther north than you and inland, so I would think my winter would be colder than yours.

Good luck with your plants. I'd certainly try saving them. - June

I'm a couple hours south of you in Fort Myers, but have many Boston Ferns, some in pots, and a couple of beds of fern. Never had a problem with them in the winter. Just made sure they were in the shade and got watered occasionally. The only downside is how often I have to divide them!