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When to plant crocuses in Albuquerque: 10 October – end of December

In Albuquerque, crocus: plant from 10 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Walmart Garden Center (garden centre, 6 km) and Osuna Nursery (garden centre, 8 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 Albuquerque: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -3.3 °C.

Planting10 October – end of December
First autumn frost9 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -3.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:31 on 10 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:48

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

Crocus in Albuquerque: 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 Albuquerque the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 18 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 Albuquerque, Flagstaff is 19 days earlier and Ciudad Juárez 26 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Santa Fe (United States)94 km26 September – 11 December14 days earlier
Las Cruces308 kmby 25 October15 days later
Ciudad Juárez378 kmby 5 November26 days later
Pueblo398 km28 September – end of December12 days earlier
Flagstaff452 km21 September – end of December19 days earlier
Grand Junction477 km27 September – 7 December13 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Albuquerque

Planting stock goes into the ground from 10 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Albuquerque OpenStreetMap lists 15 garden centres, 6 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Albuquerque?

In Albuquerque, crocus: plant from 10 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 Albuquerque?

Last spring frost around 5 April, first autumn frost around 9 November.

Other crops in Albuquerque, with their dates