How to Overwinter Viola Pansies

Pansies are viola hybrids that can withstand extremely cold weather and bloom during cool weather when many other plants do not. They are short-lived plants that do not tolerate the heat. If you purchase and plant flowering pansies in the spring, they will not need overwintering since they'll die in the summer. In USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 though, pansies can be planted in the fall and overwinter out in the garden. Fall-planted pansies bloom more flowers than those planted in the spring. They will also be among the first flowers in the garden to bloom in mid- to late winter or early spring when the weather warms.

Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase and plant pansies in a sunny location. Pansies fare better in soil that is rich in organic matter and drains water well. Amending the top 8 to 12 inches of soil with 3 or 4 inches of compost will improve the richness and drainage of the soil.
- 2
  Water your pansies with 1 inch of water a couple days before the first expected hard freeze which happens when temperatures dip below 24 degrees Fahrenheit. This watering will give them one last drink before winter arrives. Your newly planted pansies may still be blooming at this point.
- 3
  Apply 2 inches of mulch, such as straw or chopped leaves, after the first hard freeze over top of your pansies. This hard freeze will kill any blooms and it's time to warm the plants for the winter. Once temperatures begin rise and your nights are no longer threatened with a hard freeze, remove the mulch.

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