MUM'S THE WORD!

Photo Credit: Jessica Hall

PROGRAM: Mum's The Word!

​Jessica Hall, owner and operator of Harmony Harvest Farm in Weyers Cave, Virginia, joined us via Zoom to share a grower’s perspective on the chrysanthemum—our club flower. She discussed the chrysanthemum’s rich history, highlighting the distinctions between heirloom and hybrid varieties, and explained why Harmony Harvest is committed to preserving heirlooms through their newly launched initiative, The Mum Project. Jessica also offered practical advice on planting and growing these iconic fall blooms.
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As part of this engaging program, twenty varieties of heirloom chrysanthemums were distributed among members. Each member was invited to “adopt” a mum, observe its growth, and document their findings, such as the date of first bloom, number of blooms, and overall height. Members were also encouraged to submit a photograph of their plant to Harmony Harvest Farm, contributing to the ongoing efforts to preserve and better understand these treasured flowers.