From the porch, to the yard! How to easily transplant your mums for more blooms next year

Once fall winds down, transplant your mums into your garden!

They are fall’s favorite flower, but the runway often feels so short for those front porch mums. We’re here to help you extend your investment.

Horticulturist Carly Wood walked us through when and how to transplant your mums from a pot to the garden.

Timing is Key

Timing plays an important role in their longevity. Many people wonder if the unseasonably warm weather impacts when we should buy mums. Carly explained, “They’re a photo-periodic plant, so they’re affected by our light, like, the shortness of our days.” It’s not the heat that dictates when mums bloom, but the changing daylight hours.

If you do purchase your mums early, Carly advised to be prepared to “baby them just a bit.” Keeping them partially shaded can help protect the plants from extreme heat. Watering is also crucial. Carly said, “They’re going to be drinking more because it’s a little bit warmer,” so keeping them hydrated is essential.

Choosing Mums with Longevity

When picking mums, it’s tempting to go for the ones that are in full bloom. But Carly pointed out that these will not last long on your front porch. Instead, she suggested, “You want to pick something where the the buds are a little more tightly closed.” These will bloom later, providing a longer display of color.

While most colors will stay healthy for the same length of time, Carly said, “I feel like the whites and the yellows don’t look as good for as long.” They tend to dry out quicker.

Creative Displays

Carly shared how to spruce up your mums without the hassle of repotting by using decorative baskets. “All I’m going to do is just take my mum and pop it in,” she said, transforming a plain plastic pot into a chic front porch display. This elevates the appearance, and, makes it easier to water and move when needed.

Deadheading and Maximizing Blooms

Once your mums bloom, deadheading is a good way to help maximize their display. Carly explained, “Underneath on some lower buds… you could cut off the top flush and hopefully get a second.” It won’t bloom twice, but you may get new buds underneath depending on the length of the fall season.

Replanting Mums for Next Year

One of the best things about mums is that they can be transplanted into your garden for the next season. Carly said, “If you’ve taken care of it and it’s just on its way out, you can enjoy it next year because it will bloom in your yard.”

When replanting, it’s important to focus on keeping the roots healthy. Carly recommended cutting down the plant leaving about five or six inches, allowing it to direct energy to its roots rather than supporting extra foliage. If you find multiple plants in your pot, Carly said, “You totally can break those up because then you can make four plants out of one.”

Find more gardening advice from Carly on Instagram @thegardenspot, or visit her blog at thegardenspotblog.com.