Pansies - The Winter and Summer Trooper
 (Read 500+ times)
By Harold Sink
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Honestly, I never thought I would like pansies all that much when I first planted them. Sure they come in a variety of colors and "bush" out in less than six months. So why do I keep them around?
First of all, I live in North Texas where there is not much of a winter here at all. Yes, it does get cold here, and yes we do get snow one or twice every year to two years. Never the less, those pansies fight to stay alive.
The last pansies I planted were put into a garden next to the patio. These pansies looked like they had bit it when our December frost came in for a couple of days. Plus, I forgot to water them forgetting the sprinkler system was off.
They probably were not watered until the next rain which did not last but a day. Okay, so part of this was my negligence, but those poor specimens were about to throw me for a loop.
I decided that there was no use in watering those dying pansies so I let them be. These were also planted along with some cyclamen that was actually doing better than they. It was later that the cyclamen that bit the dust.
After nearly another month without any rain we finally received a couple of days worth of it. That was a blessing in disguise since most of the long time plants were showing signs of death.
Last year when the temperatures went up into the 100s, the pansies thrived as long as they were lightly watered early in the mornings. Since our fence blocked the first couple of hours of direct sunlight, they were ready to face the heat each day.
It was when we were off the routine of watering that they were about to perish. It only took a couple minutes of watering to keep them thriving.
This morning I was out planting some new plants that needed some TLC before they could go into the ground. A few of these were to replace other lily of the valley that did not make it last year.
They are now neighbors to the bright purple pansies, which will add a dramatic effect to the garden. For the past few weeks I have been doing my best to keep the ground slightly moist for the upcoming spring show in our yard.
Of course, that show is for my family and friends, but it will be a sight to see.
My only trick to keeping healthy pansies is to not wash away the soil they came in unless it has a rancid smell to it. Usually that is a sign of root rot, which can still be cured.
My method for this is to use a mixture of peat moss, sand, and a rich acidic soil mixture. I do not claim to be a college educated horticulturalist, but this does work.
When you plant your pansies, make the hole twice the size of the root ball. Place a rich gardening soil around the rest of the root system filling up the hole. Press somewhat hard holding the plant just a little bit higher than the ground.
You will build a mound up to the stem. This allows the water to flow away from the stem to the roots as to not water log the pansies. Make sure your soil is well drained for them.
You may find that you have hard clay soil. Just add some peat moss, fine granular rock (or sand), and mix in some compost if you have any. You may want to start a compost pile this year for any future plants.
Happy planting to all of you, and may your pansies do well this year. Just remember...they do need water.
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Author Bio Box: Harold Sink
 Personal experience
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