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Issue #514 - April 16, 2015 | |||||||||
Pansy Care Guide Boasting cheerful color and rugged hardiness, it's little wonder that pansies are a sign of spring in Maine. Our pansy greenhouse are now open for the season and jam packed with vibrant spring color. Although these plants will defiantly hold their colors through adverse spring weather conditions, there are steps you can take to make sure they stay looking their best throughout the season. Planting Our pansies have been "hardened off" to the early spring weather and can be planted now. They'll look best in mass plantings using a 6 to 8 inch center. As the weather gets warmer, this spacing gives the plants mutual support against wind and rain, while providing a burst of noticeable color when perennials are just breaking dormancy. Finding an area with full sun should not be difficult in early spring but be sure to look around to see what is going to leaf out above the plants later on. Window boxes are also an excellent choice, but proper care should be observed. Although pansies are rugged, they appreciate the details of consistent care. Fertilizing Pansies are an environmental dream since they prefer fertilizer with a low amount of phosphorus (the middle number on formulations). Keeping the phosphorus low will go a long way in reducing stretch and also win you kudos in your neighborhood for minimizing runoff. Maintenance Conscientious dead heading is essential to keeping pansies going into the warmer months. Spent flowers should be pinched back to encourage new blooms.
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Estabrook's - Open 7 Days a Week - (207) 846-4398 - www.estabrooksonline.com |