Pansy, a member of the violet family, is
a cool-season crop that may be grown in borders, edging and window boxes.
It can even be used for cut flowers. Pansies are considered a perennial
plant, which means they live longer than one growing season. This makes
them ideal for planting in the spring and fall. Pansies may be used as
under-story plantings for spring bulb gardens. They also make perfect massed
plantings.
You can start pansies from seed, but most gardeners purchase them in
packs. When planting them outdoors, make sure they are hardened off. This
means plants won't sustain damage from the cold temperatures and limited
available sunlight that often accompany the spring and fall seasons in
Colorado.
Growing compact, free-blooming pansies is easy. Just be sure to choose
a site that receives some sun during the day. Pansies do best in loamy
soil that is rich in organic matter, but they also do well in the heavier
clay soils found in Colorado. Increase the organic matter in clay soils
to improve drainage and aeration for the plants. Canadian sphagnum peat
moss and well-rotted compost are good sources of organic matter. If possible,
incorporate two to three inches of organic matter into six inches of soil.
Water plants thoroughly after transplanting and mulch lightly with leaf
mold or bark mulch. Pansies thrive when given a complete fertilizer such
as 5-6-5 analysis.
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