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How to Grow, Harvest, and Use Breadseed Poppies

Several years ago, I saw Breadseed Poppies advertised in a seed catalog and just had to give it a try.  They’ve been part of my garden every year since.  They’re beautiful and tasty.  A gardener needs a big patch to get any sizeable harvest, but a small harvest is worthwhile and makes those holiday poppy seed cookies take on an every deeper meaning.  The flowers are beautiful too and that is reason enough to have some growing in your garden.  If you want to include them in your garden plans for next year, here’s how to grow, harvest, and use breadseed poppies.

Poppies are a beautiful addition to any garden. Learn how to grow, harvest, and use breadseed poppies for a delicious harvest

How to Grow Breadseed Poppies

These poppies do best with a cold start.  Plant the seeds as early in the spring as the soil can be worked.  The seeds are small so plant them in a row or broadcast in a bed.  As the plants sprout, thin them to 6 to 8 inches apart.  The plants like full sun and moist, rich soil.

How to Harvest Breadseed Poppies

After the flowers bloom and the petals fall off, the seedpods form.  Allow these to dry on the stalks.  The seeds will shake inside when the pods are dry enough to harvest.  If you wait too long, the pods will crack and seeds will spill on the ground, this will allow for self-seeding for next year but robs you of seeds for baking.

How to Grow, Harvest, and Use Breadseed Poppies - Homespun Seasonal Living

Cut the pods from the stalks and bring them inside.  Cut the tops off and shake the seeds out into a bowl.

How to Grow, Harvest, and Use Breadseed Poppies - Homespun Seasonal Living

To be extra safe, spread the seeds out on a baking tray for a week just to make sure they’re completely dry.  Store in an airtight jar until ready to use.

How to Grow, Harvest, and Use Breadseed Poppies - Homespun Seasonal Living

How to Use Breadseed Poppies

Traditionally poppy seeds were used in place of nuts when they were more expensive or difficult to find.  Feel free to use poppy seeds in cookies, breads, muffins, and more.

How to Grow, Harvest, and Use Breadseed Poppies - Homespun Seasonal Living

Here are a few ideas to get started:

What’s your favorite poppy seed recipe?

Sharing is caring!

Hailey Polsom

Friday 19th of August 2022

Will they kill my oriental poppies

Kathie Lapcevic

Saturday 20th of August 2022

I don't believe so.

Hailey Polsom

Friday 19th of August 2022

And also can you grow them illegally or legally because i have herd both also can you replant the seeds and get more flowers

Kathie Lapcevic

Saturday 20th of August 2022

I've read conflicting things too, however; I don't believe the seed catalogs could legally sell the seeds if it was illegal to grow. That's my best assessment. And yes you can replant the seeds to get more flowers.

Hailey Polsom

Friday 19th of August 2022

I am currently trying to grow poppies and was just curious Can you start to grow them in fall

Kathie Lapcevic

Saturday 20th of August 2022

Maybe, I'm guessing it would depend on growing climate. If you live in a place that has mild fall weather, they would probably do well.

Sue Votapka

Monday 11th of April 2022

Looks like great fun! I grew poppies last year and saved the poppy seeds. Hope to talk to you this evening for our event May 28th.

Lazy K

Saturday 15th of January 2022

And don't forget, the poppy seeds in the spice isle of your grocery store are Breadseed poppies. Lots of seeds for a good price.