Greenly Garden

When to plant crocuses in Annapolis: 20 October – end of December

In Annapolis, crocus: plant from 20 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Bru-Mar Gardens LLC (garden centre, 3 km) and Garcia Patios & Landscaping (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 Annapolis: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -1.3 °C.

Planting20 October – end of December
First autumn frost19 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -1.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:02 on 20 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:26

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

Crocus in Annapolis: 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 Annapolis the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 19 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 Annapolis, Philadelphia is 8 days earlier and Dover 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Baltimore37 km23 October – end of December3 days later
Washington, D.C.47 km17 October – end of December3 days earlier
Dover87 km27 October – end of December7 days later
Philadelphia158 km12 October – end of December8 days earlier
Richmond179 kmby 17 October3 days earlier
Atlantic City184 km23 October – end of December3 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Annapolis

Planting stock goes into the ground from 20 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Annapolis OpenStreetMap lists 6 garden centres and 1 farm shop (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Annapolis?

In Annapolis, crocus: plant from 20 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 Annapolis?

Last spring frost around 29 March, first autumn frost around 19 November.

Other crops in Annapolis, with their dates