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Can You Split Mums? How To Divide The Fall Garden Favorites

The fall season evokes picturesque images of blazing foliage and tumbling pumpkins, but perhaps none is more symbolic than the humble chrysanthemum, or ‘mum,’ as a harbinger of autumn. These colorful plants, with their vibrant array of oranges, reds, and yellows, pepper gardens as a sign that summer is winding down. While many relish the striking beauty of mums, few may realize that they are not only emblems of the season but also perfect candidates for division.

In this horticultural blog post, we’ll explore the rewarding practice of splitting mums, a vital task for gardening enthusiasts looking to bolster their fall garden or rejuvenate existing clumps of these seasonal favorites. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to nurture more mums from just one, and maybe even surprise yourself with a little harvest festival of mums in your backyard.

Understanding Mums

 Mums flower

The Charm of Chrysanthemums

Mums thrive in the cooler weather of the fall, prompting an explosion of color just when gardens seem to be winding down. Their variety isn’t only skin deep; you can find mums in a plethora of flower types – from pompons to spiders – and sizes, making them a versatile addition no matter the scale or theme of your garden.

Their ease of maintenance makes them a beloved choice, but what happens when you want to do more than just maintain? What if you could exponentially increase the beauty and splendor in your garden? The answer, in horticultural terms, is to divide your mums.

Benefits of Dividing Mums

Multiplication by Division

One striking mum plant can become several with the careful practice of division. Not only does this allow you to spread the love to other areas of your garden, but it also provides a cost-effective means of expansion, saving you money on purchasing new plants.

Encouraging Vigorous Growth

Mums can grow quite congested, and by dividing them, you create space for each plant to prosper. This leads to more robust growth and, subsequently, even more robust flowering, ensuring that you’re treated to a vibrant autumnal display.

Soil Rejuvenation and Disease Prevention

By their nature, mums tend to deplete the soil over time, especially if they’ve been in the same spot for a while. Dividing mums not only introduces fresh, nutrient-rich soil to each new plant but could also prevent or minimize the spread of any disease in the original clump.

When to Divide Mums

Timing is Everything

To give your mums the best chance to take to their new homes and thrive, timing is critical. Late spring or early summer is ideal for splitting mums, giving the newly divided plants several months to establish themselves before the cooler temperatures of fall. However, if you miss that window, the next best opportunity is just before the plants begin their fall growth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dividing Mums

Tools of the (Green) Trade

Before making any moves, ensure you have the right tools on hand. You’ll need a sharp, sterile spade or knife, depending on the size and density of the plant, as well as a tined fork to help tease the roots apart if need be.

Dividing the Clump

Start by digging around the mum plant peripheral, creating a trench around it. If the plant is particularly dense, you might want to water it the day before to soften the soil. Once the trench is deep enough, carefully work the spade under the plant and lift it, using the fork to help loosen soil from roots.

Making the Cut

With the plant removed, inspect the root system and decide where to make your cuts. Each division should have a good portion of both roots and shoots. Use the spade or knife to cut through the root ball, ensuring each portion is healthy and balanced.

Replanting

Prepare the new planting locations by digging a hole a bit larger than the root ball of your division. Set the new plants into the soil at the same depth as they were initially growing and fill in the soil around them. Press lightly to ensure good soil-to-root contact and water thoroughly.

Caring for Divided Mums

Aftercare Details

Mums, like any plant, need time to settle into their new surroundings. Protect them from harsh sun or wind for the first few days. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, until you notice new growth.

Long-term Care

Mums are not heavy feeders, but a balanced fertilizer applied in early summer after dividing should help the newly emerging plants. Mulching after you notice the first sign of growth can help maintain soil moisture and temperature, ensuring a more successful transition.

Conclusion

The splendor of a fall garden can be made all the more majestic with the presence of chrysanthemums. However, the discerning gardener knows that the potential of this favorite plant extends beyond its bloom. By splitting mums, you unlock a trove of benefits, from increased floriferousness to a garden’s worth of new starts. This simple division process epitomizes the cycle of growth and renewal that is at the heart of gardening.

Dividing mums is a practice that not only promises personal gardening satisfaction but also contributes to the well-being of your green spaces. It’s an act of stewardship, sharing, and self-multiplication that any home horticulturist should consider.

Now, armed with this knowledge, it’s time to assess your garden and decide which mums are prime for their next step in the cycle of renewal. Grab your gardening gloves and get ready to create the fall garden of your dreams, one mum at a time.

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