How to Transplant California Poppies

California poppies are native to the highlands of California and prefer cool gardens to harsh summer heat. The poppy will grow between 12 to 18 inches tall and produce bright yellow and orange flowers up to two inches across. Poppy seeds sown in May will generally bloom in the end of July. California poppies do not like to be transplanted, so it is important to do so when they are very young, before the plant develops more than four leaves.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Pots
• Potting soil
• Poppy seeds
• Spade
• Mulch

1. Plant poppy seeds indoors approximately six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area. Plant one seed per pot and barely cover the seed with soil. The pot should have drainage holes. Keep the soil evenly moist until the sprouts appear.
2. Select a planting location that receives full sun to partial shade and has good drainage.
3. Transplant poppies to the garden once there is no danger of frost and before they have developed four or more leaves. Carefully tip the pot on its side and tap it to loosen the plant. Dig a hole and set the poppy seedling in it to the same depth as it was growing in the pot. Space the poppies at least eight inches apart.
4. Top the soil with mulch to keep weeds at bay and to promote better drainage. Only water moderately, allowing the soil to become dry in between watering.

Tips & Warnings

• Using separate pots for each minimizes transplanting shock.

• Avoid soils that have a high clay content; poppies grow best in well-draining soil.

• Too much fertilizer will have the opposite effect–it will cause poor flowering.