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When to plant crocuses in Albany: 7 October – 30 November

In Albany, crocus: plant from 7 October to about 30 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include George's Market & Nursery (garden centre, 12 km) and Faddegon's Nursery (garden centre, 14 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 date is about two weeks before the average daily temperature here falls below 0 °C (ten years of weather): an estimate, not the day the ground freezes, and a cold spell can freeze it earlier. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS, how the ground freezes (NRC Canada, CBD-26).

Crocus in Albany: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–March; the coldest, January, averages -6.7 °C.

Planting7 October – 30 November
First autumn frost6 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -6.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring10 February
Daylight11:29 on 7 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:03

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

Crocus in Albany: 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 Albany the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 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

Around Albany, Montpelier is 20 days earlier and New Haven 6 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
New Haven164 km13 October – end of December6 days later
Concord191 km1 October – 25 November6 days earlier
Manchester (United States)191 km3 October – 27 November4 days earlier
Syracuse (United States)199 km7 October – 28 Novembersame day
Montpelier204 km17 September – 11 November20 days earlier
Burlington208 km4 October – 23 November3 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Albany

Planting stock goes into the ground from 7 October to about 30 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Albany OpenStreetMap lists 11 garden centres, 7 markets and 3 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Albany?

In Albany, crocus: plant from 7 October to about 30 November. 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 Albany?

Last spring frost around 17 April, first autumn frost around 6 November.

Other crops in Albany, with their dates