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When to plant crocuses in Boston: 14 October – 29 December

In Boston, crocus: plant from 14 October to about 29 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.

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 Boston: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–March; the coldest, January, averages -3.9 °C.

Planting14 October – 29 December
First autumn frost13 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -3.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:10 on 14 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:04

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

Crocus in Boston: 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 Boston the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus earlier than Boston; the closest date is in New Haven, 1 day earlier.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Providence67 km9 October – 30 December5 days earlier
Manchester (United States)77 km3 October – 27 November11 days earlier
Concord102 km1 October – 25 November13 days earlier
Portland, Maine159 km5 October – 26 November9 days earlier
New Haven193 km13 October – end of December1 day earlier
Albany224 km7 October – 30 November7 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Boston

Planting stock goes into the ground from 14 October to about 29 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Boston OpenStreetMap lists 12 garden centres, 1 plant nursery, 13 markets and 2 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Boston?

In Boston, crocus: plant from 14 October to about 29 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 Boston?

Last spring frost around 9 April, first autumn frost around 13 November.

Other crops in Boston, with their dates