Tips on When to Plant Mums

When it comes to planting mums successfully, timing is only half the battle. However, it is still a rather important factor in the cultivation of mums.

Spring Planting

Fall mums can be planted in the spring, but, in order to produce more flowers, you should cut them back once they have reached 12-18 inches. Do not cut more than half way back. When you cut down mums in this manner it will force them to bush out, inevitably creating more shoots. Every gardener knows that more shoots equals more flowers.

Fall Planting

You can also purchase nursery bought mums and plant them at the start of fall. This is the most practiced method for growing mums, as it is the easiest and reduced the amount of care that you must provide to your plants. Either way works but, when planting in the spring, it is recommended that you start with seedlings, as these mums will be young enough that they won't bloom prematurely.

Care and Maintenance

But, as stated before, timing when you plant is only half the battle. You will also have to time when you pinch back mums in order to prepare it for a better season. By pinching, you will go through the plant and select some stems with buds and some without. You will then pinch of some of the new growth. Don't go overboard, just a couple here and there. You should repeat this process whenever there is at least 4 inches of new growth, which usually ends up being every two weeks. Repeat until the beginning of July. This will ensure that your plant is focusing its energies on producing quality blooms. Pinching is all about quality over quantity. By having less blooms and foliage to develop, those that remain will benefit greatly. It will also help to keep your mums compact.

These tips will help you grow beautiful, healthy mums in your own garden.