How to Prepare Mums for Winter

Mums are a gardener’s favorite. They are one of the easiest flowers to produce. You can grow mums for months in the fall and they are available in an almost endless array of species. Mums can be found in multiple colors and they also last for weeks once they have been cut, allowing you to display them. One very important matter concerning mums is proper care. In order for you to grow your mums year after year, you must know how to prepare them for winter. Read on to learn how to prepare mums for winter.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Shovel
• Mulch (straw or manure)
• Pots
• Soil
• Protected area
• Clippers (optional)

Instructions

1. Decide when to prepare your mums for winter. It greatly depends on your location (growing zone) as to when specifically you should start preparing your mums for winter. Since mums are late (fall) bloomers, you want to give them all the time they need. It is possible to even wait until the ground has been frozen for a while to prepare them. You can check with other mum gardeners in your area for more tips on precise timing.

2. Choose a way to prepare your mums. There are essentially two methods you can use to prepare your mums for winter. Again, it will matter your location and winter conditions as to which would work best for your mums. You can select one or the other or even use both and see which worked best and stick with it the following winter. The two separate winter preparations are detailed in Step 3 and Step 4. Read over both and make your decision.

3. Ready your mums to stay outside during the winter. Add a deep layer (4 inches or more) of mulch (shredded hardwood), straw or manure. Cover the whole area surrounding your mums. Check on the mums during the winter to see if they are heaved from the soil because of frost. If the mums lift up, carefully place the root ball back into place.

4. Move your mums for the winter. If you are in very cold areas this may be the best selection. Carefully dig up your mums and place them in pots. Add soil as needed. Place the potted mums in a protected area outside (greenhouse, garage or other building) or bring them inside (basement, patio or other location). This spot must not experience freezing temperatures during the winter.

Tips & Warnings

• There is much debate as to whether it is better to trim your mums as part of winter preparation or not. There is no harm in waiting until the spring to do this.