The best month to plant poppies in May or June.
You can plant them in the spring, but they’ll need a little longer to germinate and grow than if you planted them in the early summer.
The best time to do this depends on where you live and your climate and soil conditions.
If you have light, sandy soil, planting them later in the spring will give them enough time to grow and develop roots before winter sets in.
Planting in June will get them off to a good start regarding growing. They should be able to grow faster, establish their roots more easily, and produce blooms earlier.
On the other hand, if you have clay soil conditions, it’s better to plant them when the weather is still warm so that they don’t freeze at night.
There are also benefits to planting poppy seeds later in the season when it’s not too hot either – like late March for example – so that they don’t get hit by frosts at night or after sunset (which could damage their roots).
These factors all play a role in whether or not planting an annual plant later in the season works best for you. Here are some pointers on what month is best:
Does poppy come back every year?
Poppies are annual plants, meaning they live for one growing season and then die.
However, if you allow the heads of the spent flowers to remain on the plant, they will self-seed and new seedlings will appear the following spring.
You can also collect the seeds from the heads of spent flowers and sow them in pots or trays filled with moist seed compost indoors from late winter onwards.
When large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings into individual pots and grow them in a cool, light place.
Once all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting out in their final positions.
What is the best time to sow poppy seeds?
You can sow poppy seeds from late winter to early summer, although mid-spring is generally considered the best time.
The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, so wait until after any rain or irrigation before sowing.
Prepare the ground by raking to a fine tilth (a loose, crumbly texture) and firm lightly with the back of a rake.
Scatter the seeds thinly over the surface and gently rake in.
Water well using a fine rose on your watering can avoid washing the seeds away.
Keep the ground moist during germination, which usually takes 7-14 days.
Once they have germinated, thin out the seedlings to leave the strongest plants at the spacing as indicated on the packet.
What are the best conditions for growing poppies?
Poppies prefer a sunny position and light, well-drained soil.
They are not too fussy about soil type but will do best in neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
If your soil is very heavy, incorporate some grit or sand to improve drainage.
Poppies also like it on the cool side, so avoid planting them in a hot, dry spot.
Amending the soil with organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost before planting will help to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
How long does it take poppies to grow from seed?
Poppies germinate quickly – usually within two weeks – and will flower in their first year.
You can sow the seeds directly into their final growing positions in mid-spring, or start them off indoors in pots or trays filled with moist seed compost.
If sowing indoors, sow the seeds thinly on the surface of the compost and cover them with a thin layer of vermiculite or fine grit.
Water well using a fine rose on your watering can avoid washing the seeds away.
Place the pots or trays in a cool, light place such as an unheated greenhouse or conservatory, and keep the compost moist but not soggy.
What are the best poppy varieties?
Some of the best poppy varieties to grow to include:
‘Coral Reef’ – large, crepe papery blooms in shades of coral-pink with black centers. Flowers from June to August. Height 90cm (3′).
‘Flanders Poppy’ – the classic red poppy with black blotches at the base of each petal. Flowers from June to September. Height 75cm (2.5′).
‘Mccarthy’s Pink’ – large, crepe papery blooms in a rich pink shade with black centers. Flowers from June to August. Height 90cm (3′).
‘Royal Wedding’ – large, white blooms with a black blotch at the base of each petal. Flowers from June to August. Height 90cm (3′).
‘The Queen Alexandra Memorial Poppy’ – huge, double white blooms with a hint of lilac. Flowers from June to August. Height 1m (3′) or more.
Papaver rhoeas ‘Album’ – pure white flowers with black centers. Flowers from June to August.
Do poppies bloom twice a year?
Yes, annual poppies will bloom twice a year. The blooming period for poppies is usually in June or July. They tend to bloom later in the day and the color of their buds is usually a vibrant purple.
Should I soak poppy seeds before planting?
Yes! Poppy seeds need to be soaked for a day or two so that they’ll sprout faster, and they’ll have more of a chance of germinating. If you don’t soak them, the seeds could rot or just sit there waiting to germinate.
Conclusion
Poppies are beautiful, easy-to-grow flowers that will add color and life to any garden. They prefer cool weather and well-drained soil and can be started from seed indoors or out. With a little care, they will bloom profusely from June to August.
