I live in zone 6 Connecticut shoreline. Two mum plants in their pots have lived out on the porch since the fall (shame on me, I know) and have escaped the dumpster b/c I've been so doggone busy... and good thing!

I looked down at them and saw some green leaves poking up from the dirt underneath all that dead brown flowers and leaves... so my question is how do I encourage them? Is it ok to prune back the dead stuff and pot the living part of it in a smaller pot, take it inside and fertilize weekly, or do I need to do something more?

I am pretty sure the new green leaves are mums and not some weeds , but I guess we'll see.