Seed starting time is in full swing now. If you’ve never started seeds before or if you aren’t sure what everything you read on a seed packet means, this post will help. Just click on the photos of the poppy seed packet for a larger view if you need it and follow along.
A. This tells you if the plant is an annual or perennial. An annual will normally live one growing season (although here on the coast some go a bit longer). Some reseed easily, while others don’t. A perennial will last more than one season.
B. Light requirements. In this case, the poppy should be planted in a full sun location. This means direct sunlight needs to reach the plant for 6 or more hours per day. Part sun would be 4-6 hours or in the dappled light under a fairly open patio or tree. Shade would mean a bit of morning sun only or all day bright, but not direct, light.
C. Bloom time. This tells you when the plant will most likely bloom. Planting seeds that will bloom at varying times will keep your flower beds going all season long.
D. Height. This tells you how tall the plant will be when it blooms. Varying heights in your border with shorter plants in the front and taller plants in the back keeps it interesting and allows you to see all the blossoms.
E. Description (Or why the plant is cool!). This area will give you a bit of history or other information letting you know why this particular variety is interesting.
F. Image. Normally the image focuses on the blossoms or fruit of a plant which can sometimes be a bit deceiving as it gives no indication of it’s actual size. Make sure to read all the information about size when making a decision.
The back side tells you everything you need to know to be successful in starting this particular plant.
G. Contains several items.
- Days to emerge. This tells you how long it takes for the seeds to come up, or emerge, from the soil after planting.
- Seed Depth. This tells you how far down into the soil the seed should be planted. This is very important in assuring successful germination. Don’t guess, measure. In this case of these poppies, you will scatter the seed on top of the soil and rake it in lightly (we will learn why later).
- Seed Spacing. Here you will simply scatter the seeds, but some will give a more precise measurement like “space seeds 1″ apart.” This means you would plant one seed every inch.
- Thinning. This tells you how many plants need to be thinned, or removed, from the planting space once the seedlings have reached a certain height. In this case once the poppies are 1″-2″ tall, you will leave one plant every 9″ and remove the rest. The easiest, and safest, way to thin if you are new to seed starting is to snip out the plants you want to remove with scissors. Although this may seem wasteful and even a bit mean, by snipping out the plants you want to thin, you won’t disturb the roots of the plants you want to keep and avoid injuring them.
- The illustrator. Botanical Interests has some of the most beautiful illustrations I’ve seen. Don’t you agree?
And a great design feature on the Botanical Interests seed packages is that once you have removed your seeds from the package, you can cut out this label and use it to mark your seeds. Simply attach it to a large popsicle stick with some Modge Podge and it should last until the seeds have grown. If you are growing more than one seed at a time, it’s important to mark your seeds. No matter how many times I swear I’ll remember what I planted, there will always be some confusion if I don’t mark them as I plant them.
H. More plant information. Again this can be cultural, anecdotal or historical. In this case, it lets you know that these poppies are deer resistant in addition to giving you a bit of history behind the flowers.
I. When to sow. This is the really important part. It tells you when to start your seeds, both indoors and out. In this case the seeds should be started outside four to six weeks before our average frost last date. Here on the Central Coast that would be right around the beginning of February. (Read more about average frosts dates here). Some plants will say something like up until first frost. That would be some time around late October. It’s very important to follow these directions because most plants have certain temperature needs to grow properly. Cucumbers will be killed by even the lightest frost. Peas dislike hot weather. A few days either way will probably be fine, but don’t try and fudge the planting dates too much.
When to start inside? In the case of these poppies, it’s not recommended. This is true for many wildflowers and plants that dislike being transplanted. If it’s OK to start plants inside it will give you a time frame based on your average first or last frost date.
J. Special Germination Instructions. In the case of these poppies, the seeds actually need light to germinate. Other seeds may need to be soaked or have their seed casing nicked with a knife or roughed up with some sandpaper. This section will tell you if there is anything strange you need to do.
K. Botanical Interests had received so many questions about GMO seeds that they state it right on the package. No GMO’s or treated seeds.
L. Seed sell by dates. This tells you when a seed has been packaged and when it should be sold. Making sure that your seeds are fresh will give you the best results.
