Planting poppy seeds
Here’s how to plant poppy seeds and other easy-to-grow flowers to create a wildlife-friendly patch.
Where do poppies grow best?
Poppies and other wildflowers need lots of sun. Go for the biggest patch you can, a metre square at least. If you don’t have flower beds, you can grow wildflowers in pots. The larger the pot, the more wildlife it will attract so think big. Wildflowers aren’t fussy about soil, they’ll grow happily wherever the sun shines.
Instructions
How to plant poppy seeds step by step
Start by removing weeds. Instead of reaching for the weedkiller, try a more wildlife-friendly method like covering the area in old carpet or plastic sheeting. This will kill anything trying to grow. After a few weeks, remove any coverings and lightly dig over the soil surface. Then give it a rake to create a fine texture.
Sprinkle the seeds across the surface of the soil. If you’re using a pot, press them in with your hand. If not, walk across the surface of the bed. This makes sure the seeds are in contact with the soil. Pop a fine rose on your watering can and give them a good water. Repeat during any dry spells. Then you can sit back and watch your wildflowers grow.
When do poppies bloom?
Look out for flowers from June to September. When flowering has finished, let seed heads form and leave the plants to die back. In autumn, dig over the ground again to ensure weeds don't get a hold. The wildflowers should spread themselves through self-seeding but if you want to make sure they come back, you can sow seeds again next year.