Poppies can be planted now until the end of October in zone 6, or again in
late February thru the end of March on disturbed (roughed up) soil. They
can be sown on top of melting snow in late winter and often sprout very
well. Poppies sown after May usually do poorly because they need to make a
strong root system before the soil and air get too warm. Many kinds seem to
need some cold weather or frost to break open the seed coat and help them to
sprout. Shirley Poppies are the most delicate of the annual varieties. Their
seeds are not expensive, and if sown at the right time, most will germinate.
Mix them with sand before sowing because the seeds are so tiny you might sow
500 in a one square foot area - which would be a few too many.......
"Andrea Bostrom" wrote in message
...
Any advice re growing poppies ? NO not the naughty ones. I am in zone 6
and
have always admired the delicacy of this flower.

Andrea
Andrea