Q.I Want To Overwinter Mums Inside But They Only Have Buds Now
Should I put them in a dark cool place now or wait until they bloom inside and then store them. And what kind of environment will they need to make it until the spring?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Don't you want them to bloom outside? Mums will tolerate a frost. Your hardiness zone is 5, and mums are generally hardy to zones 4 or 5. I would bring them in tho if temperatures hit 32 F or below. If you want them to bloom inside, put them near a sunny window and keep them watered. After they bloom, remove the flowers, but leave 2 to 3 inches of the stems to protect the crown. To overwinter inside, you can store them in a cool, frost-free location till spring. Water about once a month, enough to keep them alive. Too much water will cause them to rot.
It may be a little late to plant them in the garden now, but in the spring, you can plant them in a well-draining area with full sun.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/chrysanthemum/wintering-mums.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/chrysanthemum/annual-vs-perennial-mums.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/chrysanthemum/growing-chrysanthemum-flowers.htm