Pansies bloom best in cool weather. Treating them as annuals causes them to start their period of bloom after the portion of the growing season best suited to them. Pansies started now and wintered overdevelop into larger, more vigorous plans that bloom longer into the summer than plants grown as annuals.

Pansies may be purchased at garden centers and nurseries, but they tend to be relatively expensive. Large quantities of plants are necessary for impressive displays. You could take cuttings from the plans you purchased. Pansies cuttings root easily. The best way to fill your garden with pansies is to start them from seed.

Much of the material published about pansies would lead you to believe they are difficult to start from seed. They tell you pansies germinate best when planted in August because widely fluctuating temperatures are required for germination. They tell you you must cover the seed flats with black plastic because the seeds only germinate in the dark. Others suggest you prechill the seed. It may be that all the things recommended in the various publications influence the successful germination of pansy seed. However, I have found pansy seeds are as eager to grow as the most seeds,. Don't hesitate about buying a pack of seeds and getting started.

For large quantities sow the seed in rows in a seed flat. Open a rows about 1/8 inch deep and an inch apart. Sow the seeds thinly in the rows and cover. Placed the pot or flat in the shade and keep it covered until the seeds sprout.

A light mulch of straw or pine needles will help get the plants through the winter although it is not necessary. Pansies are very easy to transplant. They are one of the few flowers that can be transplanted while in bloom without stopping their blooming. So if spring finds your pansies other than where you would like them, moved them.

There is a wide choice of colors and varieties available from mail order catalogs. 'Majestic Giants' are large-flowered pansies available in mixtures or single colors. For something a little different try try Imperial Antique Shades. They are bicolors that look like they are done in water colors.

Start your pansies now for early spring bloom. Should something keep you from starting them this summer don't pass up pansies. Just sow them inside next February and treat them as annuals.