Well, let me tell you, chrysanthemums ain’t that hard to keep over the winter, but you gotta be careful, or else they might not make it ’til spring. These flowers, they sure do look nice when they’re blooming, but they’re not too fond of the cold, that’s for sure. If you want them to come back and bloom again next year, you gotta know a thing or two about looking after ’em through the winter.
Bringing the Mums Inside
First off, when that first hard frost comes, you better be ready to bring those mums inside, pots and all. Don’t wait too long, ’cause once it freezes, the plant starts to struggle. If you’re keeping them in pots, just grab the whole pot and bring it inside. You can stick them somewhere cool, like a shed or a garage, where it’s not too warm, but still not freezing. You don’t want to put ‘em right in the warm house, no, that’ll confuse ‘em. Just keep ‘em in a place that’s kinda chilly but not too cold, like an unheated room or a cold greenhouse. The key is to make sure the place is dry, too. If the soil stays too wet, your mums could rot, and we don’t want that, do we?
Make Sure They Don’t Freeze
Now, you might wonder, how cold is too cold? Well, once the temperatures dip below 28°F, that’s when you gotta start worrying. Anything colder than that, and your mums could really suffer. The frost can turn the flowers and leaves black, and if it’s bad enough, even the stems can die. We’re talkin’ about a real mess here. The buds might freeze too, and that’ll stop ‘em from blooming in the spring. So, before that happens, get them inside, and keep ‘em sheltered.
Watering and Light
Even though it’s winter, you still need to give them some water. But don’t go overboard! You just want to keep the soil moist, not soaking wet. If the soil dries out completely, your mums won’t have much of a chance. But remember, too much water can rot their roots, so you gotta find that happy balance.
And don’t forget about the light! Even in the winter, mums still need a bit of sun. Find a window that lets in a lot of light—about four to six hours of direct sunlight is best. You might not get the same bright sunlight in the winter, but you still gotta make sure they get some. It’ll help them stay alive and healthy until spring comes.
What to Do in Early Spring
Come early spring, you need to start taking care of them again. When the weather warms up, move them back outside, but not just anywhere! Place them in a sunny spot where they can soak up some rays. And don’t forget to cut back any old or dead growth. You want the plant to start fresh. Start watering them more regularly as the weather gets warmer, and don’t be afraid to give ‘em a little extra love. They’ll start growing again, and you’ll see those beautiful blooms come back just like before.
Conclusion
So, that’s how you keep your mums over the winter. It’s all about bringing them inside when the frost comes, giving them a dry, cool place to rest, making sure they get a little light, and watering them just right. Then, in spring, give them some sunshine, a little trim, and they’ll be ready to bloom again! It ain’t too complicated once you get the hang of it.
Tags：[chrysanthemums, overwintering mums, winter care, gardening tips, flowers, mums care, frost protection]
