How to Raise a Pansy Bed

Pick a loamy, well-drained planting location for your pansies that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Dig up the location to loosen the dirt and break down any clumps or hard materials.

Add a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer application into the soil, such as a 5-10-5 or 8-8-8 combination. Use the package’s directions and size of the pansy bed to determine the correct amount of fertilizer to apply. Incorporate the fertilizer thoroughly into the prepared pansy bed to create an evenly loamy and nutrient-rich soil environment.

Plant your pansy seedlings from mid-July through late August. Soak the pansy seeds in tepid water for about three hours before planting. Distribute the pansy seeds in rows and keep the rows about 6 inches apart. Cover the pansy seeds with a thin layer of soil and allow several weeks for the seeds to establish.

Irrigate the pansy bed weekly throughout the growing season with about an inch of water. Reduce the watering schedule in the fall to prevent overwatering. Irrigate the pansy bed only during dry periods during this season. Water the pansy bed at soil level to keep the foliage and blooms dry, and reduce the potential for fungal diseases. Do not water during the winter.

Feed your pansy bed about once per month throughout the growing season from late spring through early fall. Use a slow-release fertilizer such as a 5-10-5 or 8-8-8 combination. Apply the feed according to the package’s directions to prevent over-fertilization and potential root burn. Irrigate the pansy bed deeply after each fertilizer application.

Keep the pansy bed free of weeds and debris to reduce the potential for growth stunt and disease development. Trim back spent blooms as they appear to promote the development of more blooms. Use sharp, sterile shears to complete this process.

Apply fungicidal and pesticide sprays to control and prevent disease development and pest infestation. Treat the pansy bed with fungicidal spray treatments in the early spring to eliminate fungal spores that have overwintered. Apply the spray treatments according to the package’s directions to prevent injury to the pansy bed.