Colorful mums are a fall garden favorite, brightening up yards and porches just as summer blooms begin to fade. Follow these simple care tips to help your mums grow strong and survive the winter.
- Spring is the best time to plant mums, allowing them to establish strong roots before winter. However, many gardeners choose to plant in the fall, when mums are widely available and blooming.
- Plant mums in a spot with full sun (at least six hours per day) and well-drained soil. Avoid low spots or areas with heavy soil.
- Plant mums as soon as possible after purchasing them.
- When the ground begins to freeze, apply about 4 inches of mulch to your plants to help retain soil moisture and prevent big swings in soil temperature.
- Although mums are often treated as annuals, they can survive Illinois winters. Once they have gone dormant in the fall, leave the old growth to provide a layer of protection to help the plants survive the winter. Once growth begins again in the spring, remove the old growth. When new growth reaches 6 inches long, prune the tips to encourage bushier mums with more flowers.
- Potted mums can be overwintered indoors. After a hard frost, place them in a cool, dark location and bring them back outdoors when it begins to warm up in the spring.
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