Fall Garden Mums. Hardy or No?
Saturday August 9, 2008
Mums are everywhere in the fall and they make a tempting impulse buy when in full bloom. While mums will stay in flower for weeks, many gardeners do not realize there are hardy perennial mums that can be planted in the garden and will improve year after year. Maybe you’ve purchased mums labeled ‘hardy’ only to be disappointed the following spring when they didn’t survive. The key to a truly hardy mum is selecting the right variety and giving it time to establish itself in your garden, before winter comes. Here’s a quick tip to helping your garden mums survive the winter.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
Here in zone 8 most are hardy for a few years. Tip: If you live near a mall or conference center make friends with the head gardener. They are always changing out their displays and most of the older plants (current season) are simply thrown away. When I lived in Atlanta neighbors were always asking how I could afford so many beautiful plants. It worked for me and will work for you. It also is a great form of recycling.
Dear Marie,
I read several of articles on pruning Tomato Plants. What would be the effects of pruning a plant at the top?? My plants are already over 6feet tall, and I was hoping for strong main stalk/shoot. Will topping the plant hurt the harvest or help it?? My plants are not bushy and for the most part are reasonably straight. My plants are in-door sun-room and growing in individual pots. I am in Zone 9.
Regards,
Butchrgt
I sometimes top my plants when they reach the end of their stakes. It doesn’t hurt the plants at all, but I don’t think it necessarily increases fruit set.