You can plant pansies now — just keep an eye on their temperature

Q: I have several large pots that I want to plant pansies in for autumn and winter color on the patio. I have seen pansies available, just want to be sure it’s not too early to plant. What do you think? — L.C., Albuquerque

A: With the weather being so delightfully warm in the afternoon lately, I have one question for you. Are the pots you have dark in color?

I mean the outside of the pots. If they are dark blue, green, red or black I’d be cautious. You could go ahead and plant, but see if you have a spot on the patio that would offer some shade from the heat of the day sun for the time being.

Granted, it’s a lot cooler than just a few weeks ago, but dark pots absorb quite a bit of heat and sometimes make the soil an unpleasant place for roots to be. By the end of October, maybe sooner, you’ll be able to relocate them to sunnier spots to enjoy the autumn and winter seasons.

So, yes get your pansies planted, just be conscious of how sunny the spots are where you want to place them, aiming to keep the soil a smidgen cooler for the roots.

Q: I purchased a couple of preplanted containers that are made of compressed peat to plant into my larger pots at home. I was told it’s an easy way to plant and was excited about the ease of planting. My trouble is everything planted in them seems to be drying out faster for me. Have I done something wrong when I planted these nifty preplanted peat pots? — M.C., Albuquerque

A: The peat pots you found are a nice way to get plants that have a leg up, so to speak, being preplanted and able to spread a bit of root.

There is only one thing that I was taught while working at the nursery that might be an explanation. Is the rim of the peat pot showing above the ground level in your pots? I mean, is that rim below grade with a smidgen of the pot’s soil covering it?

If the rim of those peat pots are exposed then that could be the reason the pots are drying out more rapidly. The peat rim is wicking moisture, allowing it to evaporate quicker. There is a fairly easy fix, so don’t get disheartened.

Dislodge the pots so you can gently tear away the rim of the peat pot so when it’s resettled, and you adjust the soil in the pot to merge with the peat-pot soil, the peat pot will be below grade. Your aim is so none of the peat pot is showing.

I was also taught that perhaps scoring the bottom of the pots would assist in keeping the whole container healthier, too. You’re not removing the bottom, just slicing a deep “X” in the bottom.

So cut away any of the rim that might be exposed, be sure to get the soil levels to match and see if that doesn’t help keep your plantings more stable.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.