The Gardening Tip That Can Help Your Store-Bought Mums Thrive In The Ground

What a waste! It seems a shame to throw away chrysanthemums at the end of the fall blooming season (around early to mid-November), yet that's what many gardeners do. One reason may be the mixed advice from gardening experts: A large contingent advises planting mums in the spring. Many say store-bought mums are unlikely to survive the winter, or won't bloom again if they do survive. Others assert that planting purchased mums in the fall and overwintering them is worth a try, as long as you do it right. 

It's admittedly a lot to ask of a chrysanthemum to stay alive over the winter after they have worked hard and used their energy to put out beautiful blooms instead of to establish roots, but you can learn to how to plant your potted chrysanthemums so they come back every year. The most significant tip to assist them is to cut fall-planted mums back to 6 inches when cold temperatures begin and after leaves begin to turn brown, probably as the result of the first hard frost of the season.

In part, cutting back helps mums keep their compact shape by promoting lateral growth for a bushy appearance. Cutting back dead foliage that could harbor fungi or pests reduces the risk that disease will emerge on the mum in the spring. You'll be setting up your mums nicely for spring by cutting back.

Additional measures you can take to keep mums alive once in the ground include planting them as early in the fall as you can. That advice is at odds with the idea of enjoying the beautiful blooms as long as possible, but weigh whether a long blooming time or having mums that come back every year is your priority. Placing about 4 inches of mulch around the plants will go a long way toward helping your mums survive by insulating the soil. Plant in well-drained soil organic matter, such as compost. Situate plants in full sun, which will help their roots grow, and water regularly until the first hard frost.

Be sure you are using "garden" or "hardy" mums, rather than "florist mums," which are not suitable for planting. Smaller plants may be more likely to survive. Be aware that cold hardiness varies widely among mum cultivars, so some trial and error may be needed. You may want to consider leaving the mums in pots and planting them in the spring after placing them in a spot protected from frigid temperatures. If you're pondering that option, check out 12 beautiful mums to plant in spring in your garden.