How to Care for Mums – the secret to keep your mums beautiful and blooming until Halloween (or longer!)

What’s your favorite season? Mine is without a doubt FALL. There’s just something so wonderful about when September hits and the leaves start to change. I love that little chill in the air that makes you want to cozy up by a campfire or cuddle up with a good book and a cup of soup. I love football weekends and trips to the pumpkin patch!

How to Care for Mums - fall porch pictures

And I love the look of fall. Fall porch ideas are all over Pinterest and I love the look of pumpkins and potted mums on the doorstep. But I could never get my mums to last more than a few weeks, until now….

Ya’ll, I stumbled on a gardening secret that actually works. Not just for mums too, it’s great for bringing any wilting flowers or plants back to life. It’s inexpensive and organic too!

How to Care for Mums

So what’s the secret? Banana peels. Banana peels are loaded with nutrients that are great for growing plants. They act as a slow-release fertilizer, adding essential elements to soil as they decompose.

Potassium, nitrogen, phosphorous and magnesium promote plant growth and help build resistance to pests and disease.

How to Use Banana Peels as Fertilizer

  1. You can cut-up banana peels and bury them right into the soil of your mums.
  2. Place a fresh banana peel in water and allow to soak for 1 to 2 days. Use the water to water your plants as you normally would.
  3. Place a whole banana peel over in the center of your plant. As it decomposes it will slowly release nutrients into the plant

Are Mums Perennials?

Mums (also known as chrysanthemums) are fall favorites. They come in all shades of colors and are the perfect fall flower. And yes, mums are perennials, but they can be tricky to grow. If you wait until fall to plant your mums they won’t have a chance to root into the ground well before cold weather comes along. Plant them earlier in the spring and you’re more likely to see them bloom again.

How often water mums?

Mums need lots of water! Aim for watering about one inch a week in the early spring and increase to 2-3 times per week during the warmer months of summer. Plant them with mulch to hold moisture and give them more protection.

Soil should be damp but drain well. Too much water and the roots will begin to rot.

Fall Porch Decor

We have lots more fabulous fall decorating ideas on our Fall Pinterest board. 


 

Best Banana Pudding Recipe

How to Make Your Backyard a Mosquito Free Haven You’ll Enjoy All Summer Long

How to Plan the Perfect Picnic with No Cooking or Clean-Up!

Hurricane Prep List: Things to do Before the Storm

Pumpkin Farm – Things to Do at the Nearby Pumpkin Patch

Best Wine Club- Get 6 Bottles for Only Forty Bucks!

My Favorite Fall Decor Pieces

Halloween Charcuterie Board

Awesome Pumpkin Carvings

Halloween Games for Kids

Our Not Too Spooky Halloween Decorations from Party City

How to Decorate Your House for Halloween

Michaels Near Me – Coupons, Discount Codes and Big Sales