Pansies are essential for spring containers and hanging baskets
Pansies are the mainstay of the spring hanging basket and container and if you sow seed in late summer/early autumn then they will be ready for planting out in March.
You will need:
• seed
• seed compost + Perlite
• seed tray
• vermiculite
• label
• tray to hold water
Fill the seed tray with good quality peat-free seed compost mixed 50/50 with Perlite; this improves drainage.
Knock the tray on the bench to settle the compost.
Sow the seed thinly on the surface.
Cover with a thin layer of vermiculite and label. The vermiculite provides an insulating layer over the seed and prevents a hard crust forming which sometimes prevents the seed from germinating.
Stand the tray in the tray of water for 10 – 15 minutes until the compost is damp.
Place into a heated propagator at 15 – 18C (59 – 65F) until germinated. When they have grown a pair of true leaves prick out into 9cm (3.5”) pots using potting mix.
Leave in a cold frame over winter and plant out in early spring.
