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California Gardening

Do I need to weed before sowing California poppy?

Charlotte Willner

14 years ago

We're about 3/4ths through our first year in a new home (and a new garden!) and have some questions about growing eschscholzia. Much to my surprise this fall, our garden beds were overrun with some type of clover or wild sorrel - we called it "sourgrass" as kids here in the Bay Area, but I'm not sure what its official name is. It wasn't here when we moved in in March, so I'm guessing it only survives the winter. I've been loath to pull it all out because it really livens up what is otherwise a very bare bed in winter. This spring, we want to put wildflowers in the spot where all the clover is growing. Normally, I'd weed everything clean before planting any kind of seed, but knowing that the clover - apparently its own kind of wildflower! - will die for the season (and hopefully come back next winter once the wildflowers are gone!), can I just plant alongside the clover? Will the poppies be able to compete? This sounds like a dumb question to ask, but I figured it's worth a shot!

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Comments (3)

bahia
14 years ago
It sounds like you have Oxalis pes-capri as the "clover" in your yard. This is a pretty large growing vigorous bulb, that will keep resprouting from the roots, and generally will outcompete California poppy if you try these from seed this time of year. The life cycle of the Oxalis usually starts with the fall rains, and starts dying back to the ground in late spring/early summer. If the Oxalis is in dense stands, it will smother out almost any other plant from seed that is also winter growing. I'd suggest you start the poppies from seed in areas that are clear of this weed. You'll find that the Oxalis is rather difficult to eliminate completely, unless you plant densely growing plants that are taller than it, and are perennial so that they can get large enough to outcompete the Oxalis when it starts growing again in late October/November.
Charlotte Willner
Original Author
14 years ago
All those characteristics sounds about right! ICK, darn. Sounds like we'll be starting the poppies in a clearer section of the yard. I'll read up on controlling the oxalis - it's managed to work its way up into the established flowerbeds up front, and while I don't mind a little here and there, I don't want it becoming the main feature! Thanks for your help Bahia!
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You should have time, but you need to get to it. Work the ground so it's nice and crumbly, sow your seed and pat it in good. Keep the soil consistently moist until you see germination. Don't forget to thin, once the plants get a little size on them. I like to thin by clipping the plants at the ground with scissors. Then you don't disturb the roots of their neighbors. In our area, the plants will form rosettes of foliage that seem to just sit there all winter, but when spring comes, they take off like a rocket. You're farther north than I am, so your blooms will probably last longer than they do here in our warm springs. I adore Shirley Poppies, and California poppies too. They are one of my favorite sightss in the springtime. If you have room, plant some larkspur behind the Shirley Poppies. You'll think you're in England.
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Vvesper, 1) Some folks say that Annual Poppies resent being transplanted which is why they should be planted out when they are relatively small. I plant mine out HOS when they have their true leaves. If a few in the hos don't make it, some always do. Just make sure you water in the days following the planting out in the gardens. IMHO, I think that is where a lot of the problem is in regards to these. BTW, California P. are less finicky. 2)Californias should bloom all season for you, but others such as Shirley, Angels Choir, etc. may not. I keep mine blooming for quite some time by deadheading them. The cooler the summer, the longer they go. Last year I culled them in early August but that was simply to make room for wsown perennials. All the best!
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How do you sow poppy seeds and still keep the mulch? You pull back the mulch, loosen the soil underneath a little and scatter the seeds. When the plants are up, push the mulch back up to the poppies but not covering crowns. The forecast is for a couple of nice days (tomorrow and Friday) followed by a cool showery wetter weekend. It might be a good time to try sowing at least some of your poppy seeds, you still have time to grow and harvest pods for seed.
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I grew some from seed I ordered from Thompson and Morgan and got great germination. I didn't try sowing directly. I transplanted mine when they were small. I don't know if that was a factor but they didn't do very well. They didn't grow well and I got very few flowers, maybe a half a dozen total. Heat may have been a factor too. If you find a variety that does well here, I'd like to know. I'll link the one I tried. I thought these were such a pretty color in the catalog so when I saw all my seedlings coming up I was picturing a big mass of coral pink. lol Here is a link that might be useful: T&M California Poppy 'Summer Sorbet'
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borderbarb
14 years ago
I got Oxolis in some really cheap steer manure. As you say, it is hard to get rid of. But it is easy to pull up [bulb still in the ground] in an area where you plant anuals. I put my CA Poppies next the the sidewalk in soil that is not very rich. Seems to work out pretty well.

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