The colors of autumn are so gorgeous! I always love to see those mums popping up around my house. They’re perfect for adding a little seasonal flair or decoration, and they make me think that winter will be here before we know it!
However, a lot of people don’t even wait to see their Fall mums bloom, as they tend to wilt and die due to improper care.
Garden mums are a little difficult to grow, but once you know the common pitfalls it’s easy.
Here are 7 common mistakes you should avoid when growing fall mums:
1. Ignoring the Type of Mum
Garden mums are a favorite among home gardeners due to their ability not only withstand hard winters, but also produce beautiful flowers in late summer.
They’re perfect for planting outdoors after fall or early spring so the roots have time before soil becomes frozen. They thrive best in USDA zones 5-9. But even when they’re planted at the right time, there’s no guarantee that these beautiful flowers will survive winter.
You might be surprised to learn that the kind of mum sold in your local grocery store is not meant for transplanting at all. Unlike garden mums, these are meant to grow inside as indoor potted plants! Why? Because they won’t survive outside conditions!
2. Planting in Too Much Shade
Mums are a great plant for putting in your garden. Give them plenty of sun and enjoy the beautiful flowers that bloom! Note: In very hot climates, it is advisable to provide them with some shade during the peak hours of the day.
3. Over-fertilizing Your Plants
A new plant needs nutrients to grow. In the springtime, apply fertilizer with nitrogen when your mums first start growing leaves and branches; however don’t fertilize once they form flower buds or it will damage them!
Fall is a great time for high-phosphorus feedings because this promotes healthy root development which leads to strong plants over all.
4. Forgetting to Water Mums
To keep your fall planted mums thriving this year, make sure you water them regularly. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and give plants enough liquid so that they don’t dry out before it gets cold outside – which also happens more often during fall!
While watering is a daily necessity in the summertime, when it cools down, you should add water only when the soil feels dry to touch. This works for indoor plants too!
5. Cutting Plants Back Too Soon
Who would have thought that deadheading your garden mums could be so important? But, it’s true! Mums use their leaves to turn sunlight into energy for forming roots.
Wait until the following spring or let them die completely before pruning in order not to damage this crucial step of growth. Then just cut the stems for about an inch above the soil before you see new growth appear.
6. Pinching Mums Too Late (or Never)
Not pinching your mums will give you a lot less flowers than if they are regularly pinched. Pinching to remove flower buds helps encourage the plant to branch and become fuller.
Stop pinching in early July (no later than mid-July) so that you can see your beautiful, budding tree flourish into an awe inspiring sight for all those around it!
7. Not Upgrading Drainage
The best way to have a thriving garden is to make sure that your soil drains well and doesn’t stay soggy in wet conditions, even during wintertime when it’s cold outside! You can do this with good quality potting mix or compost so be sure you add some if needed.
Finally, know that the popular fall mums sold at garden centers nowadays are not the same kind of plants as 20 years ago.
Even though mums are hardy to zone 5, breeders have developed fall mums with really huge showy flowers, resulting in plants that are not as hardy as before.
Don’t be sad when your fall-planted mums don’t come back like true perennials. Just treat them as annuals and enjoy their colorful blooms for the season!