GardenGateMagazine.com | GARDEN GATE 75
Pinch mum growing tips back^
every time they get 4 to 6 in. of
new growth. This will encourage
more branching, which means
more fl owers later.and not grow in those tight cushions
covered in buds that you’re used to
seeing at the garden center? Pinching
can help. Here’s how you can grow
mums that are as bushy and dense
as the one in the photo at left: See
the growing tips on the mum stem
above? Pinch these out every time
they get 4 to 6 in. of growth, even if
they already have tiny buds, until the
middle of the summer. It’ll make your
mums bloom later into the fall.
The end of summer doesn’t mean
your garden has to fade away. In any
color or style you choose, mums will
take your autumn garden from drab
to fab!Growing tipshidden behind them. Once the earlier-
blooming plants finish, cut them back
and the mums will just be coming into
their own.HOW TO GROW THEM Many
folks treat mums as annuals, buying
whatever color strikes their fancy in
the fall and tossing the plants on the
compost pile when winter comes. But
the truth is, many mums are cold-
hardy even into USDA zone 4. You
just have to know how to keep them
alive. Planting in fall doesn’t give them
enough time to get established before
winter comes. Check out “Survival
tactics” at right for tips that will help
your mums come back every year.
So you planted in spring and your
mums come back every year. Why do
they stretch into lanky plants by fallSurvival tactics
While hardy perennial mums are usually quite
durable, with a bit of extra care you’ll reap huge
rewards. Here are tips to reduce the risk that
you’ll have to plant new mums every year.®^ Start early^ Spring is the time to get
mums in the ground. That gives them lots of
time to send out a strong root system that
will keep them from being heaved out of the
soil over the winter. Buy young starts in early
spring. If they have flowers, snip them off so
the mum puts its energy into growing more
roots and branches.®^ Rejuvenate frequently^ For the most
flowers, divide mums every spring. Toss out the
weak and woody centers and reset only healthy
young sprouts from the edge of the clump.®^ Choose the best spot^ Always plant hardy
mums in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid
locations that stay wet or where water collects,
especially in winter. With too much moisture,
the crown rots and the plant will die.®^ Feed regularly^ Mums are heavy feeders.
Start with a granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer
as soon as you see new growth. Give them
another dose in early August, or when you
spot the buds forming. Or apply a slow-release
fertilizer in spring. But if you irrigate or it’s
been a rainy season, give your mums a little
extra 10-10-10 as the buds form. Never feed
after mid-August or the plant will try to keep
growing rather than wind down to
prepare for dormancy.®^ Get ready for winter^ Mums left
standing will survive cold winters
better than ones cut to the ground.
And it’s a good idea to spread 2 to
4 in. of straw or other loose
mulch over the roots to keep
them evenly cold and protected.® Be patient Wait until spring
to uncover the crown and cut the
old stems down. Late cold snaps
can kill tender new growth.Uncover mums and cut
down the dead stems in
spring when you see new
growth sprouting.GardenGateMagazine.com | GARDEN GATE 75Pinchmumgrowingtipsback
everytimetheyget4 to6 in.of
newgrowth.Thiswillencourage
morebranching,whichmeans
moreflowerslater.andnotgrowin thosetightcushions
coveredin budsthatyou’reusedto
seeingat thegardencenter?Pinching
canhelp.Here’showyoucangrow
mumsthatareasbushyanddense
astheonein thephotoat left:See
thegrowingtipsonthemumstem
above?Pinchtheseouteverytime
theyget4 to6 in.ofgrowth,evenif
theyalreadyhavetinybuds,untilthe
middleofthesummer.It’llmakeyour
mumsbloomlaterintothefall.
Theendofsummerdoesn’tmean
yourgardenhastofadeaway.Inany
colororstyleyouchoose,mumswill
takeyourautumngardenfromdrab
tofab!Growing tipshidden behind them. Once the earlier-
blooming plants finish, cut them back
and the mums will just be coming into
their own.
HOW TO GROW THEM Many
folks treat mums as annuals, buying
whatever color strikes their fancy in
the fall and tossing the plants on the
compost pile when winter comes. But
the truth is, many mums are cold-
hardy even into USDA zone 4. You
just have to know how to keep them
alive. Planting in fall doesn’t give them
enough time to get established before
winter comes. Check out “Survival
tactics” at right for tips that will help
your mums come back every year.
So you planted in spring and your
mums come back every year. Why do
they stretch into lanky plants by fall
Survival tactics
While hardy perennial mums are usually quite
durable, with a bit of extra care you’ll reap huge
rewards. Here are tips to reduce the risk that
you’ll have to plant new mums every year.®^ Start early^ Spring is the time to get
mums in the ground. That gives them lots of
time to send out a strong root system that
will keep them from being heaved out of the
soil over the winter. Buy young starts in early
spring. If they have flowers, snip them off so
the mum puts its energy into growing more
roots and branches.®^ Rejuvenate frequently^ For the most
flowers, divide mums every spring. Toss out the
weak and woody centers and reset only healthy
young sprouts from the edge of the clump.®^ Choose the best spot^ Always plant hardy
mums in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid
locations that stay wet or where water collects,
especially in winter. With too much moisture,
the crown rots and the plant will die.®^ Feed regularly^ Mums are heavy feeders.
Start with a granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer
as soon as you see new growth. Give them
another dose in early August, or when you
spot the buds forming. Or apply a slow-release
fertilizer in spring. But if you irrigate or it’s
been a rainy season, give your mums a little
extra 10-10-10 as the buds form. Never feed
after mid-August or the plant will try to keep
growing rather than wind down to
prepare for dormancy.®^ Get ready for winter^ Mums left
standing will survive cold winters
better than ones cut to the ground.
And it’s a good idea to spread 2 to
4 in. of straw or other loose
mulch over the roots to keep
them evenly cold and protected.® Be patient Wait until spring
to uncover the crown and cut the
old stems down. Late cold snaps
can kill tender new growth.Uncover mums and cut
down the dead stems in
spring when you see new
growth sprouting.