- Plant your mums as soon as possible in fertile, well drained soil with fairly equal parts of sand, silt and clay. If your soil feels hard and doesn’t crumble in hand, add compost, peat moss or other organic matter. Spread about 2 inches on top of loosened soil and mix it in with a shovel.
- Plant mums early in the fall and use a root stimulant to give them a chance to establish strong roots before winter.
- Mums thrive in sunny areas. Plant where they will receive at least a half-day of sun.
- Avoid planting in areas of standing or flowing water, such as under eaves or below downspouts. Also avoid areas exposed to frigid winter winds.
- Dig a hole for each plant, spaced 15-20 inches apart from the center of one plant to the center of the next plant. Make sure the center crown of the plant is 2-3 inches above soil level. Place the plant in the hole and gently firm the soil down around it.
- Thoroughly water your freshly planted mums. Add 1-2 gallons of water to the soil around the plant. Water growing plants only as needed to prevent wilting.
- Mums planted outdoors in the fall don’t need any fertilizer until they begin to grow in the spring.
- Mulch around plants after the ground begins to freeze.
- Do not cut your mums back until spring.
- If you overwinter your mums in containers, store them in an unheated garage or shed.
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