Question
I forgot to ask you when I should put the mums away for the winter and should I cut them down first ?

Answer
I store mine when they begin to look like they are through putting on the fall show. Or in your case, you may want to keep in mind the first hard frost. The plants will winter better if they are allowed to go dormant before they are stored. This stops the growing process, and reduces the amount you will need to do to care for them all winter. To get them to go dormant, you will need to keep them cool. If the place you plan to store them is still heated by the sun during the day, then leave them out-side until the storage area is cool all day.

Don't cut them back until spring growth begins, or when they begin to come out of dormancy, (about March or April). This will encourage the new growth and spread. Go back to the thickest, most leafy part of the plant. Cut just above the leaf. This will encourage the plant to spread from that point. It will also remove all of the old, last years growth and blooms. Clean up any dead or damaged parts. Repot at this time if needed.

Fertilize, water, and place in a sunny location as soon as it is warm enough.