So, these are all purposely planted by the farmers? Other than being pleasing aesthetically, are there other reasons?

I wish our farm fields looked this great!

Stunning! I'm lso wondering if they are purposely planted.

I'm hoping to get my seeds to grow (thanks chelle) I don't have the best luck with anything in the poppy family. But I keep trying!

What a beautiful picture ... really stunning!

No on the contrary, they are considered weeds by farmers, the seeds are dormant in the ground and when disturbed by the planting of crops they invariably appear. (This is how the poppy became the symbol of war remembrance after the fields of Flanders were covered in red poppies).

Because of the changes in farming practise they aren't as common as they used to be - I remember wildflower meadows from my childhood that you just don't see any longer. But you do see poppy fields in early summer here. I think this is one of the reasons why the recent installation at the Tower of London for the WWI anniversary was so popular.

https://poppies.hrp.org.uk/abo...

Poppies like these grow best in disturbed ground, they don't need any coddling and resent transplantation.

I have loads of photos! Here are a few more.

Very interesting, Sue. Thanks for sharing!

Have you any idea what time of year those fields of poppies were disturbed to facilitate growth? As Christine mentioned previously, some of us are actually trying to add these to our wildflower meadows.

Hi Chelle

Poppies here are usually plowed up when the rape seed, wheat, oats or whatever crop is being grown is harvested, so later in the summer.

I'd say that for gardeners it depends on your climate. You can sow them in winter or spring. There's some useful information here.

http://izzym.hubpages.com/hub/...

Sue

Thanks again, Sue. That was a very informative article!

Sue, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

The article also answered many of my questions.