Growing This Fall-Colored Flower Tells Ticks To Keep Out Of Your Yard

Tick bites are not just painful; they're a health hazard. Ticks carry several diseases, including Lyme disease, that can infect both people and pets. Tick season varies by region. While ticks are most active during the warmer months and thrive in humid climates, in many southern states, they are active all year-round. If you're tired of having a yard full of pesky ticks, there's a natural garden solution to protect yourself and your home from ticks that doubles as a colorful fall garden addition. 

Chrysanthemums, often referred to simply as mums, contain a chemical compound called pyrethrin that can help to keep ticks out of your yard. Pyrethrin is a common ingredient in commercial pesticides used to control insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. By growing chrysanthemums instead of using pesticides, you get to enjoy a tick-free, fall-colored yard. The chrysanthemum genus includes hundreds of cultivars that bloom in shades of orange, yellow, magenta, and purple, so there's a variety for every yard and taste. The fall chrysanthemums you see in stores are treated as annual fall decor and won't survive the winter. However, there are several cold-hardy varieties that you can plant in the fall and overwinter with just a little extra care.

There are many potted varieties of chrysanthemums that you can plant in the fall, and you'll find a good selection at most nurseries. 'Bolero', 'Fire Glow Bronze', and 'Radiant Igloo' are a few cultivars that bloom in gorgeous fall colors. When you're ready to plant, choose a place where your chrysanthemums will receive about 6 hours of full sunlight each day. Chrysanthemums are compact and make great border plants. They need organically rich, well-draining soil. Frequent watering is an important part of their ongoing care. Chrysanthemums like to stay moist but not drenched. They're also heavy feeders and benefit from monthly application of a balanced fertilizer before they begin to bloom.

If you're growing hardy chrysanthemums instead, which you might have planted earlier in spring, preparing these for winter is simple. In zone 5 and higher, these chrysanthemums can be left outdoors. They don't require any pruning, as dead leaves and stems help insulate their roots. Mulching also helps to insulate and protect fall mums from frost as temperatures drop. In colder climates, plan to overwinter your chrysanthemums indoors in a cool, bright spot.