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When to plant crocuses in Athlone: 27 October – end of December

In Athlone, crocus: plant from 27 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Fernhill Garden Centre (garden centre, 2 km) and Homeland Agri (farm supply, 3 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 Athlone: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 3.3 °C.

Planting27 October – end of December
First autumn frost26 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 3.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight9:51 on 27 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:29

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

Crocus in Athlone: 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 Athlone the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 26 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 Athlone, Dundalk is 6 days earlier and Galway 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Galway76 kmby 29 October2 days later
Sligo101 km22 October – end of December5 days earlier
Dublin112 km25 October – end of December2 days earlier
Dundalk120 km21 October – end of December6 days earlier
Waterford141 kmby 21 October6 days earlier
Letterkenny172 km29 October – end of December2 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Athlone

Planting stock goes into the ground from 27 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Athlone OpenStreetMap lists 3 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops and 1 plant nursery (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Athlone?

In Athlone, crocus: plant from 27 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 Athlone?

Last spring frost around 25 February, first autumn frost around 26 November.

Other crops in Athlone, with their dates