No, don't direct sow the seeds in the ground; when Ken mentions winter sowing, he's talking about a method in which you sow seed in a semi-covered container which is placed outside. By semi-covered, I mean that the container has a clear or translucent lid which has holes in it for rain (and water from melting snow) to get in and excess heat to vent. And, of course, drainage holes in the bottom of the container as well. (Read the FAQ on the WINTER SOWING FORUM for further info.) It's like a miniature coldframe - same principle of creating a micro-climate which protects your seed/seedlings from extreme temperatures but also allows them to respond naturally to nature's conditions of moisture and cold/warmth. I've used this method now myself for the past 2 years and have had good success with 2 varieties particularly that I'd had difficulty with in the past - larkspur and verbena bonariensis. Nature does a better job with some things than I can do either direct sowing or starting indoors under lights.

Pansies should work with the winter sowing. Though I have generally been successful with germination under lights without giving them cold treatment when the seed was fresh, I have now in the past few years taken to chilling my pansy seeds because I think they do benefit from it. They have a gelatinous (at least it looks like that to me) covering over the seed that I think the chilling helps break down to permit germination.

February or March would be a fine time to sow the seed in some decent potting soil (preferably some sterile propagation mix but that might not be necessary), and then put the container as I described it above (and definitely go check out the WINTER SOWING FORUM if you want best success) outside in a location that's open to the elements but not likely to get blasted by winds, etc. When the weather starts to turn, your seeds will start to sprout. Leave them in the container until planting time. If you've sowed the seed too thickly and they all decide to favor you by sprouting, you could divide them into separate containers, but let them put on some growth before you go putting them out in the garden. And even then, depending on weather, they may want a little protection. Some straw or a "hat" at night until they get their roots established or even during the day if your weather turns hot during the planting cycle.

More words than you maybe wanted, but I hate to think you spend the $$ for black pansy seeds and then don't get any black pansy plants. :)

- Alex