Pansies are grown from seed and need plenty of heat for a good germination rate. Plant seed indoors or directly in the garden in partial sun. Plant indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. Provide heat, if needed, to keep the seed around 70 degrees. If seeds planted indoors are in a cool area, a heat pad under the seed containers works well. Or, if you can put the planted seed containers in a small enclosure with a 100 watt light bulb, the heat from the bulb will provide sufficient heat. Just remember that after the seeds sprout, they will need direct light (grow light or subdued sun). Cover seed with 1/8 inch soil indoors or out and water thoroughly once.
In the garden, space seedlings 6 inches apart. Although pansies need heat to germinate, they tend to wilt in direct sun during mid-summer. They generally do well in poor soil and should be fertilized with a general purpose fertilizer once when planted and then once a month thereafter. Once established, pansies do not require a great deal of care. Just keep them moist and free of weeds.
To extend the blooming period, you should deadhead the blooms (remove dead flowers) regularly. Pansies are annuals and will not survive the first frost. They are relatively free of insect or disease problems but if necessary, treat with an organic insect repellant and fungicide.
Pansies come in a great variety of colors and are many gardeners choice to brighten up the garden
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