Soil: Well-drained, sandy or poor soil preferred. Avoid rich or heavily amended soil… it produces more foliage and fewer flowers.

Sow: Surface sow: press seeds lightly into soil, don't bury. Poppy seeds need light to germinate.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist until germination. Once established, extremely drought-tolerant, natural rainfall is usually enough.

Sunlight: Full sun.

Flowers: Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering, or let some go to seed for natural reseeding next year.

Coverage: About 10–12 sq. ft. per 1/2 teaspoon scoop

Quick Facts: Full Sun · Surface Sow (do not cover) · 10–14 Days Germination · Feb–Sept Bloom

Berkeley Planting Window: Sow by December As a California native, poppies naturally germinate with fall rains and put on their strongest, earliest display when sown in fall. You can also sow in late winter (Jan–Feb) for a later spring bloom, but before December is your best shot at the big spring show.