| I'm a new home owner and have never had a garden before. I have a dozen potted mums that now look pretty much dead but I know they're not but this is how they are in winter. I heard you need to cut down the plant really short at this time but I can't find out how short to cut them and after cutting down how do I care for them until they grow back. I live in Georgia which can get really cold at this time of year. Would you be able to help me with my questions?? THANKS SO MUCH!! Julie |
| Garden mums are usually carefree at this time of year. Cut the stems down to soil level after frost kills them. New stems will sprout from the roots when the weather warms up in the spring. The only challenge you might face is that your mums are in above ground containers. Soil and roots in containers can freeze during the winter months without some kind of insulation. This may or may not kill your mums depending upon whether or not they are rated as hardy mums. To be on the safe side, insulate the pots, or set the pots in the ground where the soil will help insulate the roots. If you can't sink the pots into the ground, you can wrap the pots with insulating material or you can find the most protected area possible in your yard and group the pots together. Try finding somewhere near the foundation of your house where the pots won't be subjected to icy winds or snowfall. Best wishes with your mums! |
