French Flounce

HARDY ANNUAL

Spring/summer bloom
Frost hardy

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

Plant poppies either in late fall or very early spring. (Fall-sown seeds will overwinter and germinate when soil warms in early spring.) If spring planting, sow in a fine-textured garden bed in full sun as early as ground can be worked. Sprinkle seeds as thinly as possible, or in rows 8 to 10 inches apart. Rake in gently or lightly cover seeds 1/8 inch deep. Keep seedbed moist. Seedlings emerge in 7 to 14 days. If seedlings come up very thickly, thin poppies early but delay final thinning until weather is settled in spring.

THIN OR TRANSPLANT

Poppies don’t transplant well, so sow directly in the garden. Thin early if crowded, then again to final spacing 8 to 10 inches apart.

GROWING NOTES

Sow seeds early if spring planting, as poppies can handle frosts and bloom best when plants get a good start in cool spring weather. To help space the tiny seeds, try mixing them with a little dry sand before sowing. Weed and water young seedlings and thin carefully to final spacing once they are well established as plants need proper room to grow and develop. Prolong bloom by removing spent flowers.