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

In Bradford, crocus: plant from 19 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Carlton Nurseries (garden centre, 6 km) and Bingley Garden Centre (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 Bradford: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.6 °C.

Planting19 October – end of December
First autumn frost18 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:22 on 19 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:25

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

Crocus in Bradford: 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 Bradford the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 28 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 Bradford, Manchester is 4 days earlier and Liverpool 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Leeds13 km24 October – end of December5 days later
Manchester47 km15 October – end of December4 days earlier
Sheffield49 km23 October – end of December4 days later
Stoke-on-Trent89 km16 October – end of December3 days earlier
Liverpool92 km27 October – end of December8 days later
Hull93 km25 October – end of December6 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Bradford

Planting stock goes into the ground from 19 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Bradford OpenStreetMap lists 25 garden centres, 3 plant nurseries, 14 markets and 13 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Bradford?

In Bradford, 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 Bradford?

Last spring frost around 15 April, first autumn frost around 18 November.

Other crops in Bradford, with their dates