Marianne's Response

Poppies

I grew poppies this year for the first time. When do I or do I cut them back ? Do I leave the pods on until they dry to retrieve the seeds inside or do I cut them off after flowering and let them dry in a container to retrieve the seeds. When do you plant the seeds for plants next year? Should they be planted in the sun, shade or partial shade.
Thank you for your input.

Posted by Nancy Stackman on August 11, 2021

Marianne's Response

Poppies are easy to grow if you allow them to reseed naturally. This means you would need to leave the fading plants until the buds pop open and drop seeds about. Then just wait for seedlings in the spring. If you cannot stand the mess of the yellowing foliage you can collect the seed pods (you just need a few) and store them in a jar until early spring. Then when you see daffodils in bloom spread them on top of the soil. They like full sun or partial sun and must have soil that drains well. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti