It’s daunting to consider planting winter annuals like pansies and cabbage when we have severe watering restrictions.

But these plant have to be planted by November 1 so they have enough time to grow roots before winter sets in.

Here’s what you can do to have success:

Add 3 inches of soil conditioner on top of the area you intend to plant.

For increased drainage, add 1 inch of gritty sand. Thoroughly mix to a depth of 10 inches.

Tilled bed

Spread two thicknesses of newspaper over the bed.

Spread mulch over the newspaper.

Soak the roots of your flowers in a bucket of bathwater.

Plant the flowers through the mulch and newspaper. Water with houseplant fertilizer mixed with bathwater.

Pansies ready to bloom all winter.