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Can I plant potted mums in the fall?
Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Although your potted mums may look dead, they might just be dormant.
When should I plant my fall mums?
The best time to plant mums is in the spring because this gives the roots time to establish themselves. Mums can be added to gardens later on in the year, but the flowers will become more established if given adequate time to grow before the fall. The early to mid-spring is the best time to plant mums.
Do fall mums come back every year?
Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn’t have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.
How late can you plant fall mums?
Most gardeners plant mums too late in the fall for the plants to survive over winter. Some of the mums may come back the next year if they are mulched. The shallow-rooted mums that are planted late in fall while in full bud or flower just do not have enough time to establish before winter sets in.
Can mums survive the winter in pots?
Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently. Once potted mums have endured a hard freeze, their chances for surviving winter are slim. Cut mums back to within a few inches of the soil line before bringing indoors.
How do I save my potted mums for next year?
Keep mums indoors until one week before the last expected spring frost. At that time, take the pot outdoors to its summer location for two or three hours, then bring it back indoors to its winter location. Each day, bring the pot outdoors and leave it there for an hour or so longer each time.
Do mums need lots of water?
Both florist and garden mums make excellent container plants. Chrysanthemums love full sun and all that heat means they also need plenty of water. Give them a good soak after repotting, then water every other day or whenever soil seems dry. Try to avoid allowing your plants to wilt.
What do you do with potted mums after fall?
After they finish flowering, garden mums should be cut back far enough to remove all of the faded flowers (about one-quarter their height). If the winter stays very mild, some mums will produce a few more flowers. In late January or early February, garden mums should be cut back to about three inches from the ground.
How far apart should mums be planted?
Field Production A few growers still prefer to grow their garden mums in the field and then dig them in the fall or have customers dig their own. As a guideline, space plants 18-24 inches apart, in rows 30 -36 inches apart.
Do mums like sun or shade?
Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.
How do you take care of mums in the fall?
Although mums planted in a spring garden need 6 hours of sunlight, fall potted mums need bright but indirect light. Place them a few feet back from a south-facing window or anywhere in a bright location without direct sun. Keep the mums’ soil continually moist, but not soggy, by checking it daily with your finger.
Can you plant mums in the ground in September?
If you live in Zones 5 to 9, where the mum is naturally hardy, the best way to overwinter your mums is by planting them in the ground by late September. In most areas they won’t need any extra winter protection, but in Zone 5 it’s a good idea to put down a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the plants.
Can you plant hardy mums in the ground?
Hardy mum varieties are best suited for planting mums in the ground. Think about what color or type of look you want to create. If you want to add color to a fall flowerbed, choose pom pom or button mums that will create lots of eye catching color.
Can I plant mums in November?
When and Where to Plant Mums If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost.
Are potted mums annuals or perennials?
There are potted florist mums, which look just like garden (hardy) mums and even share the same botanical name (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)—and they’re perennials, but their survival depends on when you get them and where you live. Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums.
