The spring is the ideal time to transplant mums into the ground. When planting mums in heavy clay soil make sure to thoroughly mix in 25 to 50 percent aged organic compost, such as mushroom compost or composted manure, with the native soil removed from the planting hole. They can be kept indoor as a blooming houseplant. Dig a hole twice the size of the existing root ball. Best Timing Optimum time for fall transplants is 4-6 weeks before first frost, which corresponds with the time … 4 Remove Flowers Before Planting When ready to plant, first, snip off the buds or flowers so the plant puts its energy into root production. Mums (Chrysanthemum flowers) can grow rapidly from seeds in just 10 to 15 days. Some gardeners often are surprised to see the traditional flower of fall blooming in spring … Turn the soil again immediately before planting. Cuttings are how to start mums for quick blooming plants. The chrysanthemums you purchase in garden centers are frequently referred to as “hardy mums” for a reason. The best time to repot a chrysanthemum is when the plant is actively growing … Pick a spot with full sun and soil with good drainage. Soil needs to be well-drained and evenly moist soil. Ideally mums are planted in the spring, but it’s nearly impossible to find mums in April, so getting your mums in the ground early this fall is your best bet. But, if you’re just going to toss them anyway, it could be worth overwintering them or planting them in the ground. Mums generally grow to a width and height of 1 to 3 feet so keep this in mind when planning your garden. Step 2. Wait until the early spring to transplant mums. The planting hole should be dug two to three times as wide and no deeper than the rootball. Truth be told, florist mums grow taller than garden mums….. but with a bit of care they can look spectacular next fall. If you plant your mums in the ground in the spring and you live in a zone where they're hardy, you can often overwinter the mums in the ground outdoors. For fall-planted mums to have a better chance of survival in cold areas, you need to give the roots and crown of the plant extra protection. Once planted, cut the stems and foliage back to just above the soil line. Cuttings produce the fastest mum plants, which will bloom within months. Keep the garden mums … First, leave the foliage on the plants until spring. New foliage will sprout up next spring. Mulch lightly around them with pine straw. Versatile mums are perennials that can be ``tricked`` into flowering almost any time of year. Whether you're planting a mum plant or growing the plants from seeds, you should begin the process in the late spring if you plan on keeping the mums outside. Few things evoke the spirit of fall like a colorful assortment of mums in the garden, but helping them weather the winter, spring, and summer in order to return next autumn can be tricky for even the most seasoned of green thumbs. They should be divided in the spring when new growth appears. However, repotting chrysanthemums is timed differently because their blooming period is different than most plants. More and more garden centers are selling mums in spring for exactly this reason. Planting When planting mums, choose a sunny location with adequate drainage. However, there are varieties that are truly perennial in most climates when planted in the early spring or … There are garden mums, also called hardy mums, and florist mums. Mums can overwinter in the ground, and they do so even better in the warmer climates. Growing prosperous mums can be simple; you just need to know a few tips and tricks. You will see two kinds of mums to choose from, hardy mums or florist mums which are typically what you see in bouquets. The mums sold mid-bloom in fall are putting a lot of energy into blooming, not growing roots. Garden mums can also be shaded and grown for markets … The key to growing hardy mums is planting them in the spring. Early planting is the first step when it comes to utilizing your mums as perennials. HOW TO PLANT & CARE FOR MUMS When to plant: For use as a perennial, plant in early spring or at least 6 weeks before a killing frost in fall. Add up to 4 inches of straw or shredded hardwood mulch on top of the soil, filling in around the entire plant and spreading well between branches. "Mums are the most exciting looking when they are in bloom, and the blooms will only … And when gardeners try to transplant these mums into the ground late in the season, chances are they won't make it through winter and become perennial. Provide lots of bright light and keep evenly watered. As soon as you buy your mums for the fall season- get them in the ground. If you buy and plant your mums in the fall, the roots don't have time to spread and grow strong in the ground before cold temperatures hit. How Hardy Are Chrysanthemums? Transplant any potted mums in spring after frost danger has passed or in fall six weeks before the first expected freeze. If this is the case, enjoy your mums as annuals. Once your mums stop blooming, you can place them in the ground outdoors once the weather starts to warm. Plant spring garden mums in a sunny location. Mums take up to four months to flower from seed. The mums our growers have selected are based on three key features: color, a full growth habit, and strong structural integrity. However, seeds must be planted at the right time of year and kept under appropriate conditions to perform their best. Do not prune them back after frost has turned them brown. The following spring, as soon as soil warms and the threat of a hard freeze is over, it is safe to plant in the landscape. For best results, select a spot in full sun away from trees and big shrubs. Although some fall mums can survive winter if planted immediately, the odds are much better with spring-planted mums. While most growers view garden mums as a fall commodity, the possibility of enhancing spring and summer sales should not be overlooked. Mums are wonderful for a pop of much needed color for Spring. Planting in the spring will also result in a bigger bloom the following season. Transplant the chrysanthemums to a new, ... After the last hard freeze of the spring, plant the mum in the warm soil or move the pot back outside. You can start mums indoors from seed 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Here's everything there is to know about planting mums. How To Care For Mums. Trim the dead flowers off the top of the mum. Dig a planting hole for each potted mum that is the same depth as the pot and 1 … In the spring, garden mums can be sold as green plants along with perennial crops, or as flowering plants where they can be planted by the consumer to flower again in the fall. Try planting mums in spring so they have time to become established before the flowering and winter season. With more growing time, the roots can become more established. In looser soils add maybe 10 to 20 percent compost. 1. Dividing and Transplanting Chrysanthemums. For best results, plant them in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day with well drained soil. Here is how to get started. The site should offer well-drained soil. Pinch off dead blooms to clean up the plant, but leave branches intact; mums have a better chance of surviving if you wait until spring to prune old stems. Start feeding every month until August., To encourage branching and compact bushy growth it is important to pinch the plants in the early spring. Place the plant in the hole and fill with garden soil and existing soil. After blooming, some gardeners cut mums back to about 4” tall and cover with a … In late spring and early summer, pick off dead and fading flowers to encourage more growth. Growth will resume when temperatures warm in spring. In the winter, cut your mums nearly to the ground to protect them from frost. October – Mums planted this late in the fall season may not have time for their root systems to become established enough to survive the winter. If you try planting your mums in the ground, I want to hear how it goes. When planting, add in a bit of compost to help their root systems establish quickly. So when you plant these mums in early or mid-fall, they don’t have enough time to become established in your garden. Garden mums thrive in zones 4 to 9, while florist mums—like you can buy at the grocery store in gift pots—are only hardy to USDA Hardiness zones 7 to 9 (find your zone here).Read the label so you know what you’re buying to ensure that a specific variety will survive winters in …