Plant Poppies in the Garden. Poppy (Papever somniferum) is a 2 to 3 foot tall, hardy annual that is cultivated for its edible seeds. The optimal growing conditions for poppies are full sun and well-drained, rich soil. In early spring, sow seeds in rows 12 to 24 inches apart and 1/8 inch deep.
- The seedbed should be kept wet until the emergence of plants, which might take between 7 and 28 days depending on soil temperature.
- Before plants reach 6 inches in height, thin to a final row spacing of 6 to 8 inches.
- Water and fertilize plants sparingly until they reach full maturity and begin bloom production.
In order to increase seed production, control insects and illnesses during plant establishment prior to the commencement of blooming. Late spring to early summer sees the onset of flowering, followed by pod development in mid- to late summer (80–90 days after planting). 
How do you germinate poppy seeds?
If you’ve purchased poppies from a local nursery and been dissatisfied with the results, consider growing poppies from seed. Botanical Interests provides me with poppy seeds. I’ve had the best luck directly planting poppies in the garden. Poppy seeds growing When the earth has warmed to between 65°F and 75°F, sow seeds directly in the garden.
Plant a few poppy seeds firmly in the soil without covering them with extra dirt. Poppy seeds require sunshine to germinate. Depending on the cultivar, space plants 6″ to 12″ apart to improve air circulation and avoid powdery mildew. Giant rattle poppy seedlings spaced 12 inches apart after thinning. Poppies reseed from the previous year’s plants for several years.
I also treat poppies like a wildflower, scattering seeds softly in the fall. This page provides information on how to cultivate wildflowers. My yard has California poppies and linaria. Monthly Flowers to Plant Outside and Indoor Seeds to Germinate in Arizona’s Low Desert. 
These wildflowers are exceptionally resilient, highly colorful, and excellent in attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The majority of poppies are self-seeding, which means they will organically regrow in your yard each year.
How long does it take poppies to grow?
The poppy plant requires eight weeks to reach a height of one to two feet. Each poppy contains one major stem and several subsidiary stems, known as tillers. At the plant’s tip, a bud develops as it continues to expand. The bud opens into a multicolored flower with four petals after 90 days.
