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

In Belfast, crocus: plant from 20 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Fairdeal Garden Centre (garden centre, 5 km) and Maryland Nurseries (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 Belfast: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.3 °C.

Planting20 October – end of December
First autumn frost19 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:14 on 20 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:15

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

Crocus in Belfast: 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 Belfast the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 29 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 Belfast, Glasgow is 8 days earlier and Letterkenny 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Dundalk73 km21 October – end of December1 day later
Letterkenny122 km29 October – end of December9 days later
Dublin141 km25 October – end of December5 days later
Sligo168 km22 October – end of December2 days later
Glasgow176 km12 October – end of December8 days earlier
Athlone186 km27 October – end of December7 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Belfast

Planting stock goes into the ground from 20 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Belfast OpenStreetMap lists 14 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 3 markets and 3 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Belfast?

In Belfast, 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 Belfast?

Last spring frost around 18 April, first autumn frost around 19 November.

Other crops in Belfast, with their dates