It’s Mum Season! And that mans a very popular question is currently getting asked at Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Alans: “Are these Mums hardy? Will they overwinter?” The answer is, Yes! But, there are some things that need to be done to help make it more likely your Mums will survive the winter outdoors.

LOOK FOR MUMS NOT YET IN FULL BLOOM

Once in full blooms, Mums are actually already at their growing peak and will no longer put as much energy into actively growing. When picking mums in the hopes of getting them to overwinter, it is best to choose ones with lots of unopened blooms. These will actively grow in your garden, establishing a stronger root system more easily. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the flower blooms for longer.

PLANT EARLY

Planting your Mums by late-September is best. The earlier you plant, the more time your Mums will have to establish a healthy root system in your garden.

SKIP THE PRUNING

Unpruned plants survive at lower temperatures better than those that are pruned. Why? The extra foliage provides them with additional insulation, helping them hold up better to our cold midwest winters.

MULCH, MULCH, MULCH!

Add a heavy amount of mulch (2-4 inches) to help insulate the soil.

HOW TO OVERWINTER YOUR GARDEN MUMS

INFO SHEET

Prairie Gardens & Jeffrey Alans

4 Quick Tips for Overwintering Fall Garden Mums