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Plant
Pansies in November
Auburn, Nov. 2,002---Now
that daytime temperatures have cooled down, it is time to get
pansies planted in your fall gardens.
Pansies are popular
plants throughout Alabama because of their ability to perk up a
garden with instant color and because they are easy to grow. They
are also resistant to most diseases and pest damage and have a
pleasing fragrance. Yellow and blue flowers seem to have the
strongest scent.
Extension Horticulturist
Dr. Dave Williams, says pansies come in a variety of colors
including red, yellow, blue, violet, white, pink and maroon. Some
have faces or dark blotches in the center.
Pansies grow no more
than 9 inches in height. The foliage is medium green with oval or
heart-shaped leaves. Depending on the variety, blooms range in size
from 1 1/2 inches to 4 1/2 inches.
When choosing pansies
from a nursery, select flower colors that suit your garden design.
For best results, choose plants that are stocky with dark green
foliage and have few blooms but many buds.
Choose a planting site
that receives morning sun and has good drainage, Williams says. If
necessary, add fertilizer to the soil before planting.
Upon receiving plants,
water them well while they are still in their containers. Dig a
shallow but wide hole for each plant, or better yet, prepare a bed
by tilling in organic matter such as composted leaves, and space the
plants 6 to 8 inches apart. Make sure holes are wide enough so the
roots of the plant will not be cramped.
Place plants in the
holes with the soil surrounding the roots still intact. Cover the
plant roots with garden soil and water thoroughly. Mulch around the
plants to help conserve moisture and reduce weed growth.
By late November plants
should be filled with blooms and display brilliant color throughout
the winter.
SOURCE: DR. DAVE
WILLIAMS, Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System,
(334) 844-3032
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