How to Transplant Shirley Poppies

The Shirley poppy, also known as the corn poppy and Papaver rhoeas, is one of over 400 species of poppies. Like most other types of poppies, it is an annual flowering plant that often self sows when its prolific seeds drop to the ground. It originated in Europe but has become common in the U.S. Shirley poppies sport 3 to 4 inch flowers that can be white, pink or red. They look attractive when you group multiple plants in the same area.

Potting soil
Small nursery pots or flats
Organic compost
Shovel
Spoon or trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Start seeds of Shirley poppies in late fall. Fill small nursery pots or flats with a well draining potting soil and then water the soil with a mist from your hose. Scatter seeds on the surface, pat them down with your palm and then mist again.
- 2
  Keep your seeded pots in a sunny area indoors or outside: cold temperatures will not affect seedling growth, although seeds germinate best when exposed to a soil temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 3
  Thin the seedlings to stand about 2 inches apart when they are about 2 inches tall.
- 4
  Amend the soil in a sunny area of your garden with organic compost if you need to improve the drainage: use one part compost to each four parts of soil.
- 5
  Transplant the seedlings to the garden after your final spring frost. Carefully remove each seedling from the potting soil with a spoon or trowel, taking care not to damage the roots. Dig planting holes large enough for the root systems of your seedlings about 6 inches apart. Then set one plant into each hole and fill by scooping additional soil into the hole and lightly tapping it down around the base of each plant.

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