What – How – Why?
The why is easy – they are beautiful!
What is a garden mum?
Most mums sold today are grown for their color, form, and size – these decorative, or garden mums are not bred for their hardiness. They are sold for the beauty they provide this season – following year should be considered a bonus
Planting garden mums
- Plant in at least ½ day sun light.
- Add peat to a sandy soil or sand to a clay soil.
- Be sure the soil is well drained.
- Remove plant from pot and gently break up the root ball a little to encourage roots to branch out.
- Water thoroughly, fertilizing has already been done to establish roots and blooms.
Winter protection
- Do not prune.
- Keep soil moist as winter nears.
- After several hard frosts, mulch with straw, leaves, etc.
Next spring – if they return
- Remove old mulch.
- Prune off dead stems.
- Apply a general all-purpose fertilizer such as Jack’s as directed.
- When new growth is 4” to 6”, pinch back by half, continuing pinching whenever new growth is 3” to 5” until early July for bushy fall blooming plants.
- Water thoroughly as needed and fertilize monthly.
As the growing season comes to an end, repeat the procedures listed above.