How to Grow Marvelous Mums
Are you thinking about planting mums this fall?
It’s that time of year – the time when fall starts to creep up on us. This time of year is always marked by the mums that take over the front of every grocery store and florist.
All of these mums may have you thinking about your fall garden. Today, we are sharing how to plant and help your mums survive the winter.
When to Plant Mums
The best time of year to plant mums is actually in the spring just after the last frost date. Planting in the spring allows for the mums roots to grow deep into the ground.
You can plant mums in the fall or late summer, however, they will have a better chance of making it through the winter if planted in the spring.
If you would like to plant your mums in the fall, follow these steps for best results:
- Chose a location in your yard that receives 6 hours of sunlight at a minimum.
- Make sure your soil is well-drained.
- According the Better Homes and Gardens,
“Heavy clay soil should be amended. If your yard is soggy after the slightest rain, grow mums in raised beds with friable soil for good root growth. If the soil is too dense, add compost and prepare to a depth of 8-12 inches for best performance. Mums’ roots are shallow, and they don’t like competition.”
- Plant the mums about 1 inch deeper than they were in their nursery pot.
- Install aeration tubes. This direct-to-root watering system will help the roots establish themselves before winter. For more on aeration tubes, please see:
Surviving the Winter
Help your mums survive the winter by following these tips:
- According to Organic Gardening, add compost to your soil because mums love a rich, well-drained soil that has a slightly higher pH level. Adding compost is a great way to enrich the soil.
- Remember mums need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight, but could use up to 8 hours.
- HGTV Gardens recommends leaving about 6-12 inches between each plant for best results.
Summary
With these tips and steps, you will be enjoying your marvelous mums in no time. If you have any questions about aeration tubes, please let us know in the comment section below.
