I live in NY planting zone 6a and I’m wondering how I can overwinter a potted mum? It’s the kind you see at grocery stores and home centers that they sell in the fall. I cannot plant it in the ground and this is a very special, to me, plant.
I agree with this. I'm in Zone 5 (colder) and I've overwintered one for a couple of years. Remembering to water it regularly is the hardest part. It may look dead, but once you put it back outside in the Spring you may see the new growth. Is there a "solid" pot inside the felted bag? I think a solid pot might help insulate better if it's not already in one. Also, you can press some of the flowers just in case too.Can you put it in a garage or shed? If so, you can try cutting it back once after the First frost (not hard freeze, just frost. Cut it down to about 1-2"), add a few inches of mulch on top and cover the whole thing with an old sheet. Put it in a garage until you are past any risk of frost, very lightly water just to keep the ground moist but not damp Then you can put it outside and remove the mulch plus any dead stems once there is no more risk of frost.
They may or may not come back but at least you gave them a chance.
Dark is fine since it will basically be hibernating. I'd put the pot on some cardboard to insulate it from the floor and maybe wrap the pot in an emergency blanket to insulate the pot some and apease the paranoid part of my brain. The soil itself will provide some insulation too but extra around the pot will help keep the temperature above freezing which is what you are aiming for.Kieka I have a basement but it’s dark and it does get cold but not cold enough to freeze my heating oil tank. Do you think this would be acceptable?