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When to plant crocuses in Baltimore: 23 October – end of December

In Baltimore, crocus: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include B.Willow (garden centre, 4 km) and King Mulch (garden centre, 9 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 Baltimore: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -1.2 °C.

Planting23 October – end of December
First autumn frost22 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -1.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:54 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:24

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

Crocus in Baltimore: 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore, Allentown is 19 days earlier and Dover 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Annapolis37 km20 October – end of December3 days earlier
Washington, D.C.56 km17 October – end of December6 days earlier
Dover95 km27 October – end of December4 days later
Philadelphia144 km12 October – end of December11 days earlier
Allentown175 km4 October – 30 December19 days earlier
Trenton188 km13 October – end of December10 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Baltimore

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Baltimore OpenStreetMap lists 8 garden centres, 4 plant nurseries, 20 markets and 3 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Baltimore?

In Baltimore, crocus: plant from 23 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 Baltimore?

Last spring frost around 31 March, first autumn frost around 22 November.

Other crops in Baltimore, with their dates