Preparing fall mums

Lovely mums are in their full glory in October. Some late blooming varieties will make it completely through the month.

If you have planted garden mums (as opposed to container or florist mums), help ensure their survival by mulching heavily after the first frost, according to bhg.com.

Mulch at least four-inches deep around the plant and in-between branches. Pinch off old blooms, but keep the branches in tact until spring. When spring comes, you’ll want to pull away the mulch to allow new shoots.

One note: Only garden mums will overwinter. Florist mums or container mums will not make it no matter how lovingly they are tended. They don’t develop the stolons necessary for survival.

Don’t plant mums in the fall.  They rarely survive.