I'd like to start some pansies...

Do it now! August is a great time to sow pansies for next spring. Pansies are easy to grow and hardy. Sow the seeds in flats in a cool, shady place, and keep the soil moist at all times. When the plants are large enough, transplant them into frames. Cover them with a coarse material for winter protection, then set them out in permanent beds in the spring.