As soon as September arrives, the mum craze begins. The chrysanthemum IS the highlight of the garden this time of year.

Many gardeners are frustrated with mums because many are planted in autumn, but few tend to survive the winter conditions in our area. Why not? Well, many changes have happened in the cultivar selection of mums to get better colors and better plants. And many gardeners are planting mums later and later into the season.

We can fix this. It’s not a 100 percent guarantee, but you can get more of your mums through the winter with a little TLC.

When you purchase mums for the home garden, you need to be sure they are a garden mum and not a florist or pot mum.

What’s the difference? Garden mums are supposed to make it through the winter in our area IF planted and cared for appropriately. All of the mums you purchase at your local landscaper or farm market should be garden mums — but be sure to ask before you buy and read the label for zone / temperature information.

The best thing any gardener can do is plant his / her mums as early as he / she can. But, who has time to plant them in August?

So, the gardeners who do plant after Labor Day, here are some tips to help get those mums to be hardy in the garden:

1. Selecting a location — Besides needing full sunlight, the fine, shallow roots of mums cannot compete with the roots of trees and shrubs. Full sunlight, wind protection, ample water, well-drained soil and proper fertilization are all key to selecting a site.

2. Site preparation — Work the soil well and be extra sure the area is well drained. Mums tend to get root diseases, so drainage is critical. Add compost or peat to the soil to be sure water goes away from the roots. Do not fertilize mums until you see them come back in May. Fertilizing in fall delays winter hardiness preparation by the plant.

3. Spacing — The normal space is about 18 to 24 inches, but down to 12 inches is acceptable. Just remember, if they survive, they will grow bigger next season.

4. Planting — Rough-up the rootball of them mum, as most are pot bound. Don’t be afraid to loosen up the roots a little. Do not mulch the plants until after the first hard frost.

5. Watering — Later-planted mums should be watered nearly every day. Do not let them wilt, but don’t let them sit in water. This will help the roots become acclimated to the surrounding soil.

6. Winter care — Once the flowers have been blackened by late autumn frosts, apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant. Cut the mum back, leaving 2 to 3 inches of growth above the mulch to help trap snow for needed moisture during winter.

For more information, go to http://go.osu.edu/fallmums.

Barrett is the Ohio State University Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County.