Growing poppies

There are various types of poppies to choose from. Select a variety that suits your climate, soil type, and gardening preferences. Some common garden poppy varieties include Papaver rhoeas (common poppy), Papaver nudicaule (Iceland poppy), and Papaver somniferum (opium poppy). Each variety has unique characteristics, so pick the one that best meets your needs.

Sowing poppy seeds

The ideal time to sow poppy seeds depends on the variety and your location. In the UK, you can sow poppies either in the spring (March to May) or in the autumn (September to October). Spring sowing allows them to establish before the summer heat, while autumn sowing gives them time to develop strong root systems before winter.

• Choose a well drained, sunny spot.
• Rake and weed the area well, remove stones, and debris.
• Thinly sprinkle poppy seeds across the ground – Poppies are tiny seeds, so avoid sowing them too deep
• Germination takes approximately 7-30 days. This will depending on the condition of your soil and the growing temperatures.
• Aim to keep the soil moist during germination.
• Once large enough to handle, thin them out to around 30cm (12in) apart.

Maintenance

Poppies are generally low-maintenance plants. Remove any competing weeds that might grow around the plants. Deadhead the flowers (remove spent blooms) to encourage more flowering and prevent self-seeding if you don’t want poppies to spread.

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