How to Overwinter Moms - Simple Secrets to Surviving Tough Moms!
If you're looking for a great way to save money and add perennial beauty to your landscape - a great place to spend the winter with your mums! Mums are one of the first plants gardeners turn to for fall color, and it's easy to see why. These durable plants bloom for weeks and look incredible in pots, containers, and baskets, but they're also amazing when planted in the landscape. Even better, most mum varieties are hardy enough to withstand the cold of winter, providing beautiful fall color year after year.
A look at hardy moms
Although many people consider chrysanthemums (chrysanthemums) to be fall-blooming annuals, most varieties for sale are actually quite hardy. Because of this, with a little extra care, they can easily be grown as a perennial plants. It should be noted that not all mums can be spent in winter and can not be kept annually. There are actually two types of mums, hardy and flowery. In short, tough moms can be kept, while flower moms can't be saved.
The difference between the two lies mainly in their roots. Flower mums have very shallow roots. Because of this, they cannot withstand the harshness of winter when planted outdoors. Shallow roots freeze quickly, and the plant dies in the process. Hardy mums on the other hand have a very deep root system. Hardy mums often referred to as garden mums, can easily survive the perils of winter. In fact, hardy mums can usually successfully overwinter in growing zone 5. A little extra attention, especially in late fall, will help protect them over the winter.
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Choosing the right mothers to save
With all of this said, if you want to save your mums through the winter, make sure to start by buying hardy or garden mums, not flower mum varieties. Most nurseries and garden centers will have plants clearly marked. Otherwise, as a rule of thumb, plants with smaller, more compact foliage and tighter flowers tend to be flowers. Mums are often hardy with large stems, leaves, and flowers.
Early Fall Care - How to Wean Mothers
Mothers bought in the fall need special protection to make it through the first winter. Leaving first-year pots outside, even if they are labeled "hardy," will result in a dead plant the following spring. Although mums can be taken out of their pots to plant directly into the landscape in late fall, for first-year plants, this usually results in plant failure. Even with heavy mulch, plants simply cannot survive.
Unfortunately, by planting in late fall, mums don't have enough time to establish firm roots in the soil. Because of this, constant thawing and freezing take their toll.
Bringing plants indoors - how to remove mums
For first-year plants, the best way to succeed is to grow your mums indoors. It is very important to bring your mum inside before the first frost. When they sit in a pot or container, a hard freeze can be enough to kill the roots. Before bringing your mum indoors, remove all remaining flowers and blooming flowers first. When they fall, they not only create a mess indoors but also help the plant store energy for next year. A quick clipping with a good pair of hedge shears will make cutting flowers quick.
When bringing indoors, choose a cooler location that receives less light. A cool, dark basement or garage works well for this purpose. Otherwise, choose a cool, dark room in the house. Bringing the plant indoors, it allows the mother to remain dormant, but without the risk of freezing. Then when spring rolls around, you can safely plant mums in the landscape.
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Planting Mothers in Spring - How to Cross Mothers
The following spring, once the soil has warmed and the threat of hard frost is over, it is safe to plant in the landscape. Mums do best in rich, well-drained soil. When planting, add some compost to help establish their root systems quickly. You can replant in a container or pot. If you do, you will need to repot with fresh soil and most likely move to a larger pot. This will accommodate the extra root growth that occurs in the summer.
After planting, cut the stems and leaves back above the soil line. Within a few weeks, you should begin to see new growth. If left to grow on their own, mums usually bloom in mid to late summer. With that in mind, if you're looking for brilliant fall colors, you should cut them back a few times before they start blooming. Pinching back is the "official" term for this process, which cuts the plant back to a few inches tall. For most plants, it is best to trim in early July and again in August. This allows new growth to grow more compactly. This represents a complete fall blooming cycle.
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Subsequent Care – How To Overwinter Mums
In the fall of the second year and beyond, moms planted directly in the landscape do not need to bring them indoors. The roots of these plants are now firmly established and can weather the winter with added protection. Unlike cutting other perennials, it's best to leave the leaves of the mother intact during the winter. It helps provide extra protection from the cold and harsh winds of winter. In addition to leaving the leaves, apply a few inches of straw, leaves, or mulch to the base of the plant. It helps insulate the roots from extreme cold and protects them from constant thawing and freezing. In spring, cut back the leaves to allow the plants to produce new growth.
As with the previous year, you should cut back the growth to force fall blooms in July and early August. If you report your mums, bring them back for winter protection. With a few years of growth, your mum may reach a size that requires splitting. Spring is the best time for this job because it allows the plant to re-establish its roots throughout the summer. Not only does splitting keep plants healthy and strong, but it's also a great way to double your plants for free. Here's to giving your mums a chill this fall and getting lasting fall color in your landscape year after year.
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