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When to plant crocuses in Bern: 4 October – 21 December

In Bern, crocus: plant from 4 October to about 21 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Walter Stettler (farm shop, 5 km) and Katrins Lädeli (farm shop, 6 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 date is about two weeks before the average daily temperature here falls below 0 °C (ten years of weather): an estimate, not the day the ground freezes, and a cold spell can freeze it earlier. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS, how the ground freezes (NRC Canada, CBD-26).

Crocus in Bern: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–March; the coldest, January, averages -4 °C.

Planting4 October – 21 December
First autumn frost3 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring22 January
Daylight11:34 on 4 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:31

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

Crocus in Bern: 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 Bern 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 Bern, Sion is 15 days earlier and Neuchâtel 25 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Fribourg28 km7 October – 30 December3 days later
Neuchâtel40 km29 October – end of December25 days later
Lucerne66 km20 September – 29 November14 days earlier
Sion80 km19 September – 19 November15 days earlier
Mulhouse89 km18 October – end of December14 days later
Zurich95 km17 October – end of December13 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Bern

Planting stock goes into the ground from 4 October to about 21 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Bern OpenStreetMap lists 8 garden centres, 2 plant nurseries, 8 markets and 53 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Bern?

In Bern, crocus: plant from 4 October to about 21 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 Bern?

Last spring frost around 24 April, first autumn frost around 3 November.

Other crops in Bern, with their dates