California Poppies
Low growing blanket of flowers. Cover crop. Attracts and supports beneficial insects.
JOY MAX QUALITIES:
Easy and quick to grow
Fun for kids to plant as seeds are easy to handle and will almost always germinate
Edible flowers and beautiful, round leaves that add a peppery kick to salads
Blooms in cheery, warm colors
Attracts beneficial insects & entraps pests that are drawn in by the mustard oil they produce, keeping them off your food crops
Great in containers of at the front of garden beds or even used as an annual ground cover.
Great companion for brassicas.
Planting Information: Direct sow California poppy seeds into prepared seed beds that have been cleared of weeds and have had the top 1 in. of soil loosened with a good rake scratching. Rake seed in. Press into soil by walking over the area. Keep moist until germination. Seeds should be direct sown as poppies do not transplant well. Scatter seeds and rake in lightly. ✧ It may take up to 30 days for the seeds to sprout, and you need to keep the surface area moist until then for best gemination. When 2” tall, thin to 1 every 8”. In climates with mild winters, sow seeds in the fall for spring blooms. Keep seeds and seedlings moist but not water-logged until established, and reduce watering. While poppies are drought tolerant in general, an occasional soaking can boost blooming.