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When to plant crocuses in Besançon: 19 October – end of December

In Besançon, crocus: plant from 19 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Boichard Horticulture (garden centre, 2 km) and Duboz Horticulture (garden centre, 4 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 Besançon: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 0.2 °C.

Planting19 October – end of December
First autumn frost18 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 0.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:43 on 19 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:28

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

Crocus in Besançon: 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 Besançon the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 23 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 Besançon, Bern is 15 days earlier and Neuchâtel 10 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Dijon74 km20 October – end of December1 day later
Neuchâtel75 km29 October – end of December10 days later
Fribourg99 km7 October – 30 December12 days earlier
Mulhouse113 km18 October – end of December1 day earlier
Bern113 km4 October – 21 December15 days earlier
Geneva117 km18 October – end of December1 day earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Besançon

Planting stock goes into the ground from 19 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Besançon OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery, 7 markets and 11 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Besançon?

In Besançon, crocus: plant from 19 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 Besançon?

Last spring frost around 12 April, first autumn frost around 18 November.

Other crops in Besançon, with their dates