It’s September and I know a lot of you are thinking about candy corn and pumpkin flavored coffee…..but I’m thinking about mums. Chrysanthemums are a fall favorite, and there are a couple of good reasons for this. The biggest is of course they are cold hardy. Temps are dropping fast and we aren’t quite ready to let go of our flower gardens, and mums will carry us through our first frost. Then there’s the fall colors, which range from an array of rusts, reds, pinks, purples, yellows, white. How to choose?!! So the big question is, how do we make them last?

My simple gardening tips for getting the most from your mums

1. Selection

Although It’s tempting to choose mums that are covered in blossoms, you should be looking for tight buds at the time of purchase. By selecting mums that are covered in tight flower buds, you will be extending your enjoyment of your purchase by at least 2 weeks!

2. Placement

Often we see fabulous fall displays on entryways and porches, and this makes perfect sense. Although mums do require some sun, partial shade is optimal. Because they do like the cooler weather, shade provides them shelter on those warm sunny fall days and will also help extend your enjoyment. Placement on covered entryways, porches, or a partly shady spot in your garden will make them very happy!

3. Watering

Consistent watering and how you water makes a difference! Watering mums daily at the base of the stems makes a big difference. Water sitting on the blossoms will make them fade much more quickly. You can check your mums to see if they need water by putting your fingers into the soil about a half inch down. The soil should be moist- if not its time to give them a drink!

4. Deadheading

 Pinching off the spent blossoms will allow the plant to divert more energy into putting out more flowers for you! I like to use my snippers, and hide my cuts a couple inches down in the plant so I’m looking at my new blossoms.

Don’t give up on your garden yet! By following these four simple gardening tips, you should get a good 4-6 weeks of enjoyment from your mums! Mums will help you extend your gardening season and colorfully carry you through the fall. Enjoy and Happy Fall!