Tips for Taking Care of Mums
Chrysanthemums, or simply mums, are flowering perennials that bloom during the fall months, and with the proper care and maintenance tips, these perennial mums will come back year after year, bringing a splash of color to your garden every fall. The mum's blooms come in a variety of shapes and colors, and will remain perky and vibrant for weeks on end. Use the following tips to get the most out of your mums.
Planted Mums
Perennial mums should be planted during the springtime in an area that receives full sun and leave 6 to 12 inches between each mum you plant. Following these planting guidelines will create the optimum growing environment for the new additions to your garden.
Potted Mums
To keep your potted mum at its healthiest, place it in an area that is partially sunny to shady. If your mums are already blooming, a shady area will help the blooms to stay brighter and more beautiful for a longer period of time.
Watering and Drainage
Mums should be watered approximately every two days. They don't do well in extremely wet soil, however, so make sure that the area where you plant your mums has good drainage. Potted mums should also be placed in pots that feature several drainage holes on the bottom.
Winter Care
Make sure your planted mums are prepared for the harsh winter by adding up to four inches of mulch around the base of the plant. Also, save all your pruning until the warmer spring months.
Spring Care
After winter has run its course, remove the mulch from around your mums and add a good dose of fertilizer. Prune back dead, broken and diseased limbs from your plant. Maintain a regular fertilizing schedule throughout the spring months to ensure that your mum produces many blooms during the later summer and fall months.
