Because mums are perennials, they can be planted in the ground and come back for you to enjoy year after year. The best time to plant them, however, is in the spring.

October is one of my favorite months because I am one of those Halloween people. It’s like being a Christmas person who puts reindeer on the lawn and outlines the house with little white lights only I use ghouls and tombstones.

I love the cooler temperatures, though Mother Nature didn’t seem to get the memo that it was time for that to happen.

Now is the time of year that you can go to just about any garden center or nursery and buy big, beautiful pots of chrysanthemums, commonly just called mums. I bought two this year from children who were doing a school fundraiser. Upon setting them on my front steps, I decided to take a page from my pop’s book and line the steps with them.

The difference between me and my pop is that I will be heading out to buy new mums, although I bought two mums last year and the year before that. Pop was able to overwinter his mums and bring them out for many years. He was much more frugal than me when it came to plants.

Because mums are perennials, they can be planted in the ground and will come back for you to enjoy year after year. Just because mums are in the stores now, does not mean they should be planted now.

The best time to plant mums is in the spring. That’s because they are in bloom this time of year.

Mums are putting all of their energy into producing flowers, which means they are not putting any energy into establishing roots. That doesn’t mean that you can’t buy now and plant later, but there are a few tips you should follow in doing so.

First, make sure you buy hearty mums. Those sold by florists are not winter hardy. They are grown for their unique blooms, form or size, and are simply ornamental.

Overwintering

You can overwinter mums in pots by following a few steps. Cut the plant back, leaving about 3 inches of stem. Water the plant well and cover with mulch. Mums can be overwintered in a dark basement or cold closet. The key is to keep them in a cool climate, between 32 to 50 degrees, and a dark place. Keep the soil slightly moist during the winter. Gradually introduce the plant to light before bringing it outside once the threat of frost has passed. If you plan to plant your mum, ensure its success by following a few simple instructions.

Planting

Plant mums in a sunny spot that offers some protection from winter winds. Mums must be planted in well-drained soil. Soil that holds water can allow ice to form around the roots and kill the mum.

Cut back and cover

The following winter, after a few frosts, the leaves of mums will turn brown. This is the time to cut back foliage to 3 to 4 inches above the ground. Do not cut foliage to the ground because new stems grow from the old stems. After the first frost, cover the plant with a thick layer of mulch to help insulate it and prevent heaving. In the spring, after the last frost, remove the mulch. Mums are a persnickety perennial, but with proper care they can add beautiful color to your fall garden for years to come.

Until next week, happy gardening.

— Irland, a member of the Limestone County Master Gardeners, can be reached at kippirland@hotmail.com. For more information on the Limestone County Master Gardeners, visit http://mg.aces.edu/limestone.