We See You Eyeing Those Mums
Updated: Aug 26
It's August. It's 85 degrees outside. And somehow, the mums have already arrived.
You walked into Meijer for groceries and suddenly there's a sea of orange, yellow and burgundy convincing you it's time for pumpkins, porch décor and all things fall.
We understand the temptation.
But before you load up the cart…
Put. The. Mums. Down.
You've got time!
Fall is coming, and with it comes one of the best planting seasons of the year. So while you wait to give in to the mums, here's what should actually be on your fall landscaping list.
First Things First: Let's Talk Mums
When you do give in, don't necessarily reach for the prettiest, most colorful mum in the bunch.
Look for plants with lots of tightly closed buds.
A mum that's already covered in open flowers might look better in your cart today, but you're buying it closer to the peak of its bloom cycle. Choosing one that's still mostly (or all) budded gives you more of the show at home and a better chance of keeping that fall color around through October and into Thanksgiving.
In other words: buy for what it's going to look like, not just what it looks like today.
“Fall Is for Planting”
About 10 years ago, the Ohio Green Industry Association used the tagline “Fall is for Planting.”
Turns out, they were onto something.
Spring gets most of the gardening attention, but fall offers some pretty ideal conditions for establishing plants. The blazing summer heat begins to disappear while the soil remains warm enough for root growth.
That means less stress on newly planted material and valuable time for roots to begin establishing before winter.
So, What Should You Be Planting?
Seeding Your Lawn Late summer into early fall is prime time for many lawn repairs in Central Ohio. Cooler air, warm soil and less competition from summer weeds create favorable conditions for grass seed to germinate and establish.
Does your lawn look like this? Call us at 614-873-7333 to help with reseeding!
Trees & Shrubs Fall's cooler temperatures put less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs while their roots begin establishing. Instead of heading straight from planting into summer heat, they get a cooler start and are ready to continue growing when spring arrives.
Perennials See something this summer that needs moved? Have a bare spot that could use some color? Fall is a great time to divide, relocate and add perennials.
Spring-Flowering Bulbs Want tulips, daffodils and alliums next spring? The work happens now. Plant your spring-flowering bulbs this fall, then let winter do its thing. Your future spring self will thank you.
And Yes… Plant Your Garlic! Here's one people forget: if you grow vegetables, garlic belongs on your fall list too. Plant individual cloves in the fall so they can establish roots and experience the cold period they need before taking off again in spring. You'll harvest the bulbs next summer.
One More Thing: Don't Put the Hose Away Yet
We realize this advice may sound a little ridiculous after the amount of rain Central Ohio has seen lately.
But normally, new plants need consistent water while they're establishing, even when the temperatures outside start cooling down.
The key is to pay attention to what Mother Nature is already providing. Check the soil rather than watering automatically. If we've had another week of soaking rain, your new hydrangea probably doesn't need your help. If things dry out, keep watering newly planted material well into fall until the ground begins to freeze.
And the Part We're Most Excited About…
Fall pots and displays are almost here.
Mums, ornamental kale, grasses, pumpkins, gourds, branches—we could keep going.
For our current seasonal-color clients, if you'd like to add fall flowers or a fall display to your pots this year, reach out to us soon. We order a limited amount of fall material, and once our inventory is spoken for, it's spoken for.
And for everyone else? Wait a couple more weeks on those mums and you won’t regret it.
Need inspiration for fall porch décor? Take a look at our seasonal gallery.
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