When to Plant Seeds for Fall Pansy?

When to Sow

• Sow seeds indoors in early summer for fall flowering, about 10 to 12 weeks before transplanting outside. You want to be sure that by the time you are ready to transplant the pansies outside, the summer heat has passed and cooler temperatures are on the way. Germination takes about two weeks, but allow 15 weeks from seedling to flower. You may also want to plant more seeds than you require, since the failure rate is a bit higher for pansies germinated indoors than it is for other plants.

Starting Seeds

• Fill small pots with a pre-moistened soilless germinating mixture. Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep by pressing them into the germinating mixture. Lightly cover them with the mix. It's important not to bury the seeds too deep or to cover them with too much soil mix. (Some gardeners recommend not covering them at all once you press them into the mix.) Cover the pots with plastic to retain moisture. Place the pots in a cool, dark place; pansies do not germinate in light or at temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Temperatures between 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. Check the pots daily to make sure the soil has not dried out. Add more water when necessary or use a spray mister to wet the soil. Germination generally takes place in 10 to 14 days. Pansies tend to germinate sporadically; so do not be concerned if some seedlings appear before others.

Caring for Seedlings and Transplanting

• Remove the plastic cover and place the seedlings in a cool room with bright light once seedlings are visible. After two sets of leaves appear, separate the seedlings and plant each in a larger pot, about 3 inches around. Keep the plants in their cool, bright location. Feed with a diluted water-soluble plant food.

  Transplant the seedlings to a place that receives morning sun and has well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Work into the soil a granulated time-release formula before planting. Pansies like fertilizer, but too much will produce leggy plants. Plant the seedlings about 6 to 10 inches apart. Water thoroughly and keep watered (though not over-watered) as the new plants adjust to the outdoors. As the plants bloom, remove all faded flowers to prevent seeding and to encourage further flowering.