Other - Will poppies grow through bark?

[heroin_ed]

SWIM just bought some hens and chicks and tazzie purples off the net and is wondering this: He has bark in his backyard, but there is dirt under the bark and the bark is maybe an inch deep at best, will the poppies grow through the bark?

[samuraigecko]

Decomposed bark or massive raw pieces?

If it is decomposed bark then it would have no trouble if SWIyou just sprinkled seed over it.

Do not bury the seed below the bark, this will result in little to nothing happening.

SWIM would recommend making a spot, taking back a small layer of soil so it is bare. Sprinkling seed there and then sprinkling a very thin layer of soil over it.

Peace

[heroin_ed]

it's big bark, SWIM was just thinking of clearing the bark from the area he wanted to plant and plant in the dirt and sow them just like SWIY said. Sound like a good idea...?

[Potter]

yeah, big bark like that is used as a mulch to keep small seeded plants from growing. Poppies don't have the starch storage to push their sprouts up high enough into the sun.

Clean it out, lay down some more soil if you can and then plant.

[samuraigecko]

Yep, clear out the big bark and make an area. Turn the soil well then sprinkle seeds on top. Then use a good quality soil from a garden store to sprinkle a light layer of soil over it. Remember this needs to be a LIGHT layer (emphasis on LIGHT layer) so that the seeds can still actually come through. Poppy seed is notorious for not liking being buried.

Try to use just plain water for a while until the plants are fairly well established. They are extremely easy to burn even with normal ferts (fertilizer burn).

Peace

[heroin_ed]

Thanks again for the knowledge gecko, SWIY always answers SWIM's questions and SWIM just wanted SWIY to know that it is much appreciated.