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When to plant crocuses in Ballarat: by 20 May

In Ballarat, crocus: plant by 20 May. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit. For planting stock, the places nearby include Formosa Gardens Nursery (garden centre, 1 km) and Nutrien Ag Solutions Ballarat (farm supply, 3 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Crocus in Ballarat: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in July, average 4.4 °C.

Plantingby 20 May
First autumn frost19 June
Coldest nightsJuly, 4.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of July
Daylight10:00 on 20 May
Daylight at the winter solstice9:34

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

Crocus in Ballarat: 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 Ballarat 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 Ballarat, Canberra is 20 days earlier and Devonport 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Bendigo98 kmby 20 Maysame day
Melbourne101 kmby 26 May6 days later
Albury320 kmby 21 May1 day later
Devonport455 kmby 27 May7 days later
Launceston514 kmby 9 May11 days earlier
Canberra537 kmby 30 April20 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Ballarat

Planting stock goes into the ground by 20 May; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Ballarat OpenStreetMap lists 3 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 2 plant nurseries and 1 farm shop (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Ballarat?

In Ballarat, crocus: plant by 20 May. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit.

When is the last spring frost in Ballarat?

Last spring frost around 20 August, first autumn frost around 19 June.

Other crops in Ballarat, with their dates