Preparing Chrysanthemums for winter

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November25,1998 I live in the St. Louis, MO area. We planted several mums this past summer. They are now about done for the year. What should I do to preserve them in the ground for next year?

After your plants have been frost killed, cut them back to the ground and provide a light airy mulch of evergreen branches or similar material. The most dangerous problems for Chrysanthemums in the winter are constant wetness or ice on the leaves. Frost heaving caused by alternate freezing and thawing of the soil is also a major problem. To help with these problems and keep the plants somewhat protected and dry, you can mound the soil up around each plant as well as creating a simple drainage ditch alongside. To help avoid the heaving try to keep the plants somewhat shaded and insulate their roots with a light airy mulch.

More Chrysanthemum Help!

Chrysanthemums from seed • Chrysanthemum Care and Culture