When the danger of frost has passed some time after the first week of May the early chrysanthemums can be planted out in their final spot in the garden. They are normally planted in rows about 45cm (18in) apart with the same distance between plants. They like a slightly acid soil, ideally pH 6.5, and plenty of light, and will repay the extra work of putting a good dressing of farmyard manure on during the winter. A few weeks before planting it is also worthwhile putting on a dressing of John Innes base fertiliser at about 110g per sq. m (4oz per sq. yd) and raking it in lightly.

When planting, make sure that the root-ball is not dry as you will never be able to properly wet it afterwards. Select a day when the soil is not sticking to your boots as you will do harm to the soil structure if you work on it when it is too wet. Mark out where you are going to plant, put in firmly a 1.2m (4ft.) cane and then dig a hole with a trowel and put in the plant so that the top of the root-ball is just level with the soil. Do not plant too deeply as this will check the root system. Firm in the plant and tie it to the cane. Depending on the weather, some protection is helpful, especially from strong winds, but the plant will soon establish and grow away.