my annual poppies are just peaking bloom ...

which means mine.. will self sow within the next few weeks ...

except for forgetting where you put them.. i dont know why you would need any better time...

and if the seed winters over for me.. in z5 mi... i dont know why they wouldnt in z6 ...

when i doubt.. be the plant.. ooohhhmmmmm

ken

I agree with Ken, in principle. However, the longer the seeds sit out on the ground, the more chance they have of being eaten or washed away or forgotten and mulched over and dug into. I'd try to wait until at least late fall. Though, if you have plenty of seed, planting them now might allow some to germinate immediately and put down enough roots to have a head start next spring. I'm not being very helpful, am I? There's probably no absolutely correct answer.

Martha

I plan on planting such plants that could overwinter as rosettes, about first of September if we're getting rains. I'll delay if not, just because of the birds and critters, since nothing will sprout without moisture.

Poppies can be Autumn sown, no problem. But the Sweet Peas I would sow in the winter (time depends on your climate) under shelter - a cold greenhouse, coldframe or a bright windowsill in a cool room is sufficient. I grow them in TP roll centres to accommodate the long root. Then plant out in Spring after frost. They are pretty hardy but will not survive winter outdoors, at least they don't in my climate.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet Peas from seed

If you remember in winter that you forgot to sow the poppy seeds toss them on the snow! I haven't sowed poppy seeds in one of my beds for two years and still have poppies coming up. I don't want them there and pick them like weeds. So everyone here is right and sow them whenever you want.

I never direct seed sweet peas so can't help there.

SCG

Thanks everyone for the words of experience. I'll sow the larkspur and poppies in the fall, and continue to start my sweet peas in the winter, using the tp rolls - great idea and a good way to recycle.

I'll let you all know what happens!

Louise