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Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds produce cool-weather wildflowers and are suitable for mass planting. They usually bloom in Spring and Fall, with vibrant blossoms in shades of orange and red. Poppy seeds are easy to grow into a full plant, even for novice gardeners. California poppies tolerate low-fertility soil and thrive in full sunlight, while other varieties require richer soils.

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Survival Garden Seeds offers three varieties of native California poppies (yellow, orange, and deep red), as well as more exotic, red Oriental and Flanders poppies. Our poppies are packed in a beautiful paper packet with instructions for successful growing and germination in your home garden.

Growing Poppy Seeds in Your Garden

  • Can be grown as perennials or self-seeding annuals
  • 5 poppy seed varieties to choose from
  • Cool season color for the garden
  • Poppy flowers symbolize remembrance, fertility, and health

INTRODUCING POPPY SEEDS

The poppy seeds' blooming season stretches from late spring to early summer. Their flowers showcase hues from gentle white to vibrant orange and deep red. Depending on the species and climate zone, they grow as annuals, perennials, or biennials. Poppies often reseed themselves, providing continual growth year after year.

Poppy flowers offer a rich palette of colors. They are native to North Africa, Europe, and Asia, even the Arctic and Subarctic zones, adapting well to a wide range of climates. Poppies thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10. 

PLANTING POPPY FLOWERS 

For best results, poppy seeds for planting should be sown directly onto the soil. Because they need exposure to light to germinate, spreading them on the soil's surface is advised. Late fall or early spring (prior to the last frost date) is the ideal time to sow. Due to their small size, a good suggestion is to mix them with sand for an even distribution. The soil needs to be moist for successful germination. 

If the seeds are started indoors, a stratification process is necessary before planting the seedlings in the garden. This implies exposing them to the cold and moisture for several days to a month. The seeds will germinate faster, and plants will be stronger this way.

When seedlings reach a few inches in height, thin them to a spacing of six inches. Perennials will naturally expand their growth the following year, while annuals are known to self-seed, which requires periodic thinning.

MAINTAINING POPPY PLANTS 

Some varieties prefer rich soil, full of organic matter. Such is the Oriental Poppy. Others, like the California Poppy, can thrive even in the desert and don’t need much to survive. 

Poppy plants prefer full sunlight, but some can tolerate a partial shade. They do, however, require at least six hours of sun per day. Finding the ideal spot in the garden will contribute to healthy blooming and growth throughout the season.

The flowering season for poppies is brief, lasting around four weeks. Gardeners can extend the display period by combining with other plants that bloom in summer with poppies that bloom in the cooler weather of spring and fall. This can help maintain a continuous aesthetic appeal in your garden space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are heirloom seeds?

Heirloom seeds are the types of seeds your grandparents grew. These varieties have been passed down from generation to generation. They’re old reliable open-pollinated varieties that aren’t typically grown commercially. Instead, they have a rich history that predates modern breeding techniques. You can learn more about open-pollinated, heirloom, and non-GMO seeds in our Survival Garden Training blog.

How do I know my seeds are fresh?

Every seed packet includes a "packed for" date, and we germination test each seed lot before packaging to ensure you receive viable, high-quality seeds that are ready to grow.

Are your seeds chemically treated?

No, we do not pre-treat our seeds. All of our garden seeds are untreated, open-pollinated, non-GMO, and heirloom varieties. They are kept in temperature-controlled cooler storage until they are packed and shipped to keep them pest and disease-free.

Will your seeds grow in my USDA Hardiness zone?

The seeds in our collections are specifically chosen from varieties that can be successfully grown from Zone 3 to Zone 10 USDA Hardiness Zones. However, individual varieties have specific needs to thrive in different environments. Each seed pack has optimal temperatures for germination and instructions on seed starting. Consult local frost dates to plan your garden and get the most out of your seeds.

What is the shelf life of these garden seeds?

Most seeds remain viable for 3 to 5 years or longer when stored properly. Check your seed packet for specific varieties. For best results, keep your seeds in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Store them in an airtight container in a consistent temperature environment—a refrigerator or cool basement works well. Proper storage helps maintain germination rates and extends seed life well beyond the packed date.

Where are Survival Garden Seeds sourced?

The majority of our seeds are sourced in the United States, with a few exceptions when the seed is difficult to source domestically. Whenever we do have to source outside of the US, we ensure our seeds are safe to grow, non-GMO, heirloom varieties that meet our standards for germination and reliability.

Learn more in the blog

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