Virginia gardens shine with mums in the fall, but keeping them blooming past Thanksgiving takes a little effort. I’ve tried different tricks over the years to extend their beauty.
It’s rewarding to enjoy them longer than expected. Here are 9 ways to keep mums blooming through late fall in Virginia.
1. Water Deeply But Not Too Often
Mums need consistent moisture, but soggy soil can kill them faster than frost. Check the top inch of soil with your finger before watering. If it feels dry, give them a good drink until water drains from the bottom.
Virginia’s November weather can be unpredictable, so adjust your schedule accordingly. On warmer days, you might water every other day. During cooler stretches, once every few days works perfectly fine for healthy roots.
2. Mulch Around the Base for Warmth
Adding a thick layer of mulch acts like a cozy blanket for your mums. Spread about two to three inches of shredded bark or leaves around the plants. This helps trap warmth in the soil and protects roots from sudden temperature drops.
Virginia nights can get chilly after Thanksgiving, making mulch essential. Just keep it a few inches away from the stems to prevent rot. Your mums will thank you with longer-lasting blooms and stronger plants overall.
3. Deadhead Spent Flowers Regularly
Removing dead or fading flowers encourages your mums to keep producing new blooms. Pinch off the brown or wilted flowers right where they meet the stem. This simple task only takes a few minutes but makes a huge difference.
In Virginia, regular deadheading can extend your display by several weeks. The plant stops wasting energy on dying flowers and focuses on fresh ones instead. You’ll notice brighter colors and fuller-looking plants when you stay consistent with this easy chore.
4. Move Potted Mums to Sheltered Spots
Container mums are more vulnerable to cold than those planted in the ground. Relocate your pots to areas protected from harsh winds, like near your house or under an overhang. This shields them from Virginia’s unpredictable late-fall weather patterns.
A sheltered location also helps maintain more stable temperatures around the roots. South-facing walls work especially well since they soak up daytime warmth. Your mums will stay healthier and bloom longer with this simple placement adjustment.
5. Feed with a Light Fertilizer
A gentle feeding can give your mums the boost they need for extended blooming. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength every two weeks. Too much fertilizer can actually harm the plants, so less is definitely more here.
Virginia’s soil often needs a little help during the growing season’s end. The nutrients support flower production without forcing excessive leaf growth. Stop fertilizing once temperatures consistently drop below freezing to let your plants prepare for dormancy naturally.
6. Protect from Early Frost with Covers
Frost can damage tender mum flowers overnight, ending your display prematurely. When Virginia weather forecasts predict freezing temperatures, drape lightweight fabric or frost blankets over your plants in the evening. Remove the covers once morning temperatures rise above freezing.
Old bedsheets work just fine for this purpose if you don’t have special garden fabric. The covering traps heat radiating from the soil underneath. This simple trick can save your blooms through several frosty nights after Thanksgiving.
7. Plant Mums in the Ground Earlier
Mums planted directly in the ground by early September have better chances of surviving Virginia winters. Their roots establish deeply before cold weather arrives, making them much hardier. Container mums can be transplanted, but do it at least six weeks before the first expected frost.
Ground-planted mums also handle temperature swings better than potted ones. The surrounding earth provides natural insulation that containers simply cannot match. Next year, plan ahead for blooms that last well past Thanksgiving and potentially return next season.
8. Choose Hardy Mum Varieties
Not all mums are created equal when it comes to cold tolerance. Garden mums labeled as hardy perennials withstand Virginia’s climate much better than florist varieties bred just for temporary display. Look for terms like Belgian mums or garden hardy on plant tags.
These tougher varieties have been developed specifically for outdoor survival. They cost about the same but deliver far better results after Thanksgiving. Investing in the right type from the start means less work and longer-lasting beauty in your garden.
9. Reduce Watering as Temperatures Drop
As Virginia’s weather cools down after Thanksgiving, your mums need less water than during warmer months. Overwatering in cold conditions leads to root rot and fungal problems. Cut back to watering only when the soil feels dry several inches down.
Plants naturally slow their growth as winter approaches, using less moisture overall. Pay attention to rainfall too, since November and December often bring wet weather. Adjusting your watering habits protects your mums from damage while keeping them healthy through the cold season ahead.