Greenly Garden
Get the app
EN

When to plant crocuses in Aberdeen: 21 October – end of December

In Aberdeen, crocus: plant from 21 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Country Ways (farm shop, 1 km) and The Green House (garden centre, 1 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Crocus in Aberdeen: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.4 °C.

Planting21 October – end of December
First autumn frost20 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight9:58 on 21 October
Daylight at the winter solstice6:41

The same dates in Aberdeen hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Hyacinth.

Crocus in Aberdeen: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant Dutch crocuses (Crocus vernus) about 12 cm deep and 9 cm apart; smaller species go 7–10 cm deep (RHS).

In Aberdeen the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 30 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 15–17 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Crocuses multiply on their own (they naturalise); in a lawn, hold off mowing until their leaves die back (RHS).

Birds, squirrels and rodents damage crocuses; planting under metal mesh may reduce losses (RHS). Spring crocus gives dogs and cats vomiting and diarrhoea; do not confuse it with autumn crocus (Colchicum), which is very toxic (Pet Poison Helpline).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, Pet Poison Helpline.

Crocus in nearby cities

1 of the nearest cities share Aberdeen's date.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Dundee91 km13 October – end of December8 days earlier
Inverness133 km14 October – end of December7 days earlier
Edinburgh148 km10 October – end of December11 days earlier
Glasgow194 km12 October – end of December9 days earlier
Newcastle upon Tyne242 km21 October – end of Decembersame day
Carlisle256 km16 October – end of December5 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Aberdeen

Planting stock goes into the ground from 21 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Aberdeen OpenStreetMap lists 7 garden centres, 3 plant nurseries and 2 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Aberdeen?

In Aberdeen, crocus: plant from 21 October to the end of December. Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

When is the last spring frost in Aberdeen?

Last spring frost around 10 April, first autumn frost around 20 November.

Other crops in Aberdeen, with their dates