Growing Poppy Sprouts

General Guidelines

• 1

  Clear the planting bed of debris and weeds as soon as the ground thaws in spring. Poppies grow in cool weather. Select a planting site in full sun.

• 2

  Break the ground with a shovel and spread 2 inches of manure or compost on the turned surface. Blend the organic matter with the soil to improve drainage. Rake the planting bed to smooth it out for planting.

• 3

  Mix 1 part poppy seeds with 3 parts sand to keep the seeds separated from each other as you sow them.

• 4

  Broadcast the poppy seeds on the surface for sunlight to reach them, promoting germination. Do not worry about spacing in this step. Throw a fine layer of soil over the light seeds to give them some protection from the wind.

• 5

  Water the seeds using a soaker hose laid about 2 inches from them. The hose style provides a gentle method of keeping the seeds moist without dislodging them. Maintain the seedbed hydrated until the poppy seeds sprout. Germination occurs in about two weeks.

• 6

  Thin 1-inch-tall seedlings to 6 inches apart. The spacing allows for adequate air circulation, which prevents fungal diseases.