Things You'll Need:
- Oriental poppy seeds
- Fertilizer
- Trowel
- Water source
- Mulch
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Step 1
Choose a place where the poppies will get full sun. The area should have rich, loamy soil that is not highly acidic. Depending on the part of Ohio you live in, you may need to add a a blend of garden soil and a small amount of fertilizer to bring the soil pH to the right balance.
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Step 2
Sow the seeds directly outdoors in the spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Poppy seeds germinate best when exposed to one last frost. In the southern part of Ohio, and the region around Sandusky in the north, this will be around April 24 and for most of the other northern counties, it will be between May 15 and May 28.
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Step 3
Scatter the seeds on top of the soil, and keep them well watered until the seeds germinate and the seedlings appear, which should take 10 to 15 days.
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Step 4
Thin the seedlings so that there are about 12 inches between plants.
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Step 5
Stop watering the seedlings once they establish good roots, about two weeks after sowing.
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Step 6
Stake taller varieties of poppies by placing bamboo stakes or other long wooden poles firmly in the ground next to the plant and tying the stem securely to the stake with garden twine.
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Step 7
Mulch around the plants during the first winter in warmer climates and each winter in colder climates. During the growing season, which is generally April to September for northern Ohio and May to late September for the southern part, keep mulch away from stems to prevent rot and mildew.
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Step 8
Divide plants when the clumps become larger than you want. Division is best done during the fall, usually around mid-September for the northern part of the state and late September to early October for the southern counties.
