Eschscholzia California

🔍 About Eschscholzia California

• Type: Annual (perennial in zones 8–10 with mild winters)

• Height: 12–18 inches (30–45 cm)

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Light, sandy, well-draining; thrives in poor soil

• Water: Low (drought-tolerant)

📅 1. When to Sow

• Best Method: Direct sow outdoors

• Fall sowing: Ideal in mild climates for early spring blooms

• Spring sowing: After last frost in cooler climates

Do not start indoors — California poppies do not transplant well due to their taproots.

🌾 2. Sowing Outdoors

• Location: Full sun; avoid heavy, wet soil

• Prepare soil: Loosen top layer, remove weeds; don’t add fertilizer

• Sow depth: Scatter seeds and press lightly into the soil — do not cover deeply (they need light to germinate)

• Spacing: Thin to 6–8 inches apart once seedlings are a few inches tall

• Water: Gently water after sowing; keep soil moist until germination

🌡️ 3. Germination Conditions

• Temperature: 55–65°F (13–18°C)

• Time: 10–20 days to germinate

• Light: Needs light exposure to germinate

🌿 4. Growing On

• Water sparingly once established

• No need to fertilize — nutrient-rich soil can reduce flowering

• Deadhead to encourage continuous blooms, or let seed heads form for self-seeding

🌼 Extra Tips

• Blooms from spring through early summer, and longer in cooler climates

• May go dormant in midsummer heat, then re-bloom in fall

• Excellent for meadows, borders, rock gardens, and xeriscaping

• Self-seeds readily; you may get naturalized blooms next season