When to plant crocuses in Ávila: 18 October – end of December

In Ávila, crocus: plant from 18 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.

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 Ávila: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.2 °C.

Planting	18 October – end of December
First autumn frost	17 November
Coldest nights	January, -0.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	11:03 on 18 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:15

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

Crocus in Ávila: 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 Ávila the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 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 Ávila, Segovia is 9 days earlier and Talavera de la Reina 31 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Segovia	59 km	9 October – end of December	9 days earlier
Talavera de la Reina	78 km	by 18 November	31 days later
Salamanca	88 km	24 October – end of December	6 days later
Madrid	89 km	by 28 October	10 days later
Toledo	106 km	by 6 November	19 days later
Valladolid	110 km	28 October – end of December	10 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Ávila

Planting stock goes into the ground from 18 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Ávila OpenStreetMap lists 1 garden centre, 1 market and 1 farm shop (collected 27 October 2026).

Plaza de Abastos — market
Calle Enrique Larreta 9, 05001 Ávila · 0 km
Viveros Olalla — garden centre
15 km
Frutas y verduras Azahara — farm shop
1 km

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