Soil & Water:Sow seeds directly into a finely textured, well-drained garden bed in full sun as early in spring as the ground can be worked. Keep soil moist as seedlings emerge. When mature, poppy plants can handle dry conditions, but they will always bloom longer if regularly watered.

Planting & Growing: Plant poppies in late fall or very early spring directly into the garden. In cold climates, seeds will overwinter and germinate when soil thaws. Blossoms and pods are largest when plants grow in cool weather; seedlings are very cold hard. In a well-worked, finely textured seedbed in full sun, sprinkle seeds as thinly as possible or sow in rows 8 - 10" apart. Mixing dry sand with the seeds will help space them. Rake in gently or lightly cover seeds 1/8" deep and keep seedbed moist until seedlings emerge in 7 - 14 days. If seedlings come up too thick, thin poppies early, but delay final thinning to 6 - 8" apart until weather has settled in spring. At season's end, allow spent flowers to form pods and drop seed if you want poppies to self-sow for next year's spring flowers.