Planting Fall Mums in Containers

Creating an autumn doorstep pot can be fun, easy, and enjoyed right until a hard freeze. After freezing the same pot can be turned into a Winter Wonderland pot.

Step 1:
Choose the pot (container) you wish to plant. You may wish to choose a pot with a fall theme or even a bushel basket.

Step 2:
Fill your pot with Showplace Professional Mix. Add soil moist crystals that will help the plants retain moisture. Follow the directions on the soil moist label as to how many crystals to add.

Step 3:
Select your fall mums. Often a mix of 3 different colors adds a wonderful, warm fall feel. The quantity of plants will be determined by the size of your pot. It is best to have the pot full without overcrowding since fall is a short season. Try to choose your mums at the same stage of bud break so your planter will bloom evenly. Carefully ease mums out of their original container into your fall planter, gently teasing any root bound roots. Back fill with remaining Professional Mix.

Step 4:
You can personalize your own Fall Theme by adding ornamental kale, fall pansies, trailing sedum, or ornamental grasses. You might even try adding a scarecrow or fresh bittersweet for that Harvest touch.

Step 5:
Water your planter well with root stimulator added to the water.

Don’t forget to place some gourds, pumpkins, and ornamental corn around your doorstep planter for a true “Midwest Harvest Welcome” to your home.