Pansies are short lived perennials that behave like biennials. They grow and produce flowers the first year. The second year they produce flowers drop seed and die. I'd leave your bed alone or throw a few leaves around the plants if you want more protection. Next year plant a few more among the older plants and you'll always have pansies. The pansies you have this year will drop their seed next year and make new plants then die and the ones you plant next year will grow and flower. You'll always have some new plants and some old plants

Absolutely plant them earlier. In late summer even. Zone 6/7 here and I leave them in the ground all autumn, winter, and spring. Almost year round. They love the cold and will keep blooming when few other things are!

the trick might be buying the seed when they are for sale ... because.. in late summer or fall ... you might not find them on the seed rack.. if you can even find the seed rack ..... lol

if you are not aware of winter sowing.. this might be a plant to use such on ... there is a forum for such ...

ken

I'd start germinating seeds in July to plant out in September. So buy it now!

Thank you all. This is my "seasonal bed" right by the front door where I used to have annual bulbs in spring and then sun loving annuals the rest of the season (and just mulch during winter). I was getting more and more frustrated with the bulbs because our springs are short and very warm, so a two-week display was not worth the effort.

I will replace the current pansies with dwarf zinnia and marigold soon (we are already hitting 90s, so their days are numbered), and then do another pansy bed in the fall. Maybe I will stick in a few early tulips among the pansies as well. Old habits, etc...