Corn Poppy in Zone 3a & 3b
Papaver rhoeas
When to plant corn poppy in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Corn Poppy doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 14–Aug 21 (~90 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Corn poppy is the classic red field poppy of European farmland, a fast, easy annual that self-sows so readily once established that a single good year of blooms often leads to volunteers coming back on their own.
How corn poppy fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Corn Poppy needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Corn Poppy.
Where to buy corn poppy seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing corn poppy" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Corn Poppy in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest