When growing garden chrysanthemums, also called hardy mums, be sure to plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Quick-draining soil is essential for over wintering hardy mums. Mums can be planted in spring or fall-although spring plantings are much more likely to survive winter. If you have some mums in pots you were using for decoration on your porch, plant them at least six weeks before freezing with a mix of 2 to 4 inch layer of organic matter such as peat moss or compost into the soil. Florist mums, which display blossoms more than 3 inches in diameter, don't expect them to overwinter.

Summer care-Keep mums well-watered throughout the growing season. Fertilize spring-planted mums once a month through July. Promote dense, mounded plants by pinching new growth. Begin pinching when plants are 6 inches tall. To pinch, simply remove 1/2-1 inch of a stem back to a leaf. Pinch all stems every two weeks until late June.

Winter care-In cold climates, mulch plants with 4-6 inches of light mulch such as straw or pine needles. Spread mulch around the bases of plants once temperatures regularly dip below freezing. Remove mulch in early spring.

 Dividing-Rejuvenate mums every three or four years by dividing them. When new shoots appear in early spring, dig up an entire clump. Use a sharp spade to slice the clump into small sections; each division should have multiple stems and roots. Plant the divisions 18-24 inches apart and water well.