Poppy (Annual) Growing Guide

Papaver rhoeas (field poppy), Papaver somniferum (breadseed or opium poppy)

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Most annual poppies germinate in late winter and early spring, and easily survive spring freezes.

Feeding

None generally required when poppies are grown in fertile beds.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 15cm (5") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Annual poppies are grown from seed sown where you want them to grow. Transplanting is very difficult, if not impossible. Sow seeds anytime from autumn to early spring by scattering them on the soil surfaceatop the soil. By mid-spring, the lacy, blue-green seedlings are easy to distinguish from weeds. In hospitable sites, annual poppies will reseed themselves year after year.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

California poppies prefer warmer soil, and can be planted later than other annual poppies. They also bloom for a longer period of time, sometimes all summer. Opium poppies often naturalise in vegetable gardens, and they love the protected space provided by winter tunnels. Their early summer blooms are honeybee favourites. Field poppies are excellent additions to meadow gardens.

Harvesting

Harvest breadseed poppies as soon as the pods turn from green to tan. Keep them upright, then empty the pods into a broad container and let the seeds dry at room temperature for several days. You can replant the seeds, or use them in cooking. The dry pods make nice additions to dried flower arrangements.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Poppy (Annual)

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail