Poppy or Larkspur – Time to Plant

Q: Should poppy or larkspur seed be planted early in the fall to make roots or should the seed be put out after the ground freezes?

A: Poppy seeds germinate best in soil temperatures of 60 degrees and falling. That is typically in early to mid-November. Seeds will germinate in a few weeks and the leaves can stand most cold winter temperatures we’ll get. Roots will grow rapidly in February and the flowers will emerge in early spring.