Mums, or chrysanthemums, are quintessential fall flowers, adding vibrant color to gardens, porches, and patios just as the temperatures begin to dip. While often treated as annuals, mums can be coaxed to return year after year with the right care. Here’s how to plant, nurture, and keep these beauties thriving through November and beyond.
1. Choosing the Right Mums
There are two main types of mums to consider:
- Garden Mums: These are hardy perennials, better suited for outdoor beds and capable of surviving winter with care.
- Florist Mums: Often sold as potted plants, they’re intended for short-term displays. Though beautiful, they are less cold-tolerant and rarely survive the winter outdoors.
When buying mums for the garden, opt for hardy garden varieties if you want to enjoy their blooms into November and have a chance of seeing them come back next year.
2. Planting Mums in the Garden
For best results, plant mums in early fall, ideally before the first frost:
- Location: Mums thrive in full sun. Aim for six or more hours of sunlight a day to ensure they bloom well and develop sturdy stems.
- Soil: Choose well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. Mums prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.5–7). Amending the soil with compost or aged manure before planting can give them a strong start.
- Spacing: Plant mums about 18–24 inches apart to allow air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.
3. Watering Tips for Mums
Mums prefer consistent moisture but don’t like soggy soil:
- Frequency: Water them deeply at least once a week. Increase frequency if the soil dries out quickly or if your area experiences dry spells.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your mums to help the soil retain moisture and regulate temperature. Use straw, shredded bark, or leaves to protect the roots.
4. Encouraging Bloom Longevity
Mums are sensitive to frost, but with care, you can enjoy their blooms well into November:
- Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage new flowers and keep plants looking tidy.
- Frost Protection: Use row covers or lightweight blankets to shield mums on nights when frost is forecasted. This helps them last through early November frosts.
- Pruning: After your mums have bloomed, you can cut them back by a third to encourage regrowth next season if they’re a hardy variety.
5. Overwintering Mums
If you want your mums to come back next year, winterize them in late fall:
- After First Frost: Wait until the first hard frost before preparing them for winter. Once the blooms fade, cut back the plants to about 3–4 inches.
- Mulching for Winter: Add an extra layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots through the cold months.
- Potted Mums: If you’re growing mums in containers, bring them into an unheated garage or basement where temperatures stay above freezing. Water them sparingly over the winter.
6. Feeding Mums in Spring for a Full Bloom Cycle
For mums planted in the ground, a bit of care in early spring sets them up for a beautiful bloom season next fall:
- Early Fertilization: In spring, add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to the soil.
- Pinching: To encourage bushy growth and more blooms, pinch back the stems in early summer. Stop pinching by July to allow the buds to set for fall blooms.
With these steps, your mums can flourish through November, adding vibrant color to your garden or patio well into the colder months. And with proper overwintering, you’ll have a head start on next year’s blooms. Happy gardening!
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