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When to plant crocuses in Bristol: 23 October – end of December

In Bristol, crocus: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Riverside Garden Centre (garden centre, 2 km) and the gardeners (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 Bristol: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.1 °C.

Planting23 October – end of December
First autumn frost22 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:15 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:50

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

Crocus in Bristol: 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 Bristol the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 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 Bristol, Stoke-on-Trent is 7 days earlier and Swansea 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Swansea95 kmby 1 November9 days later
Exeter104 km28 October – end of December5 days later
Birmingham125 km20 October – end of December3 days earlier
Coventry130 km18 October – end of December5 days earlier
London170 km24 October – end of December1 day later
Stoke-on-Trent178 km16 October – end of December7 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Bristol

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Bristol OpenStreetMap lists 24 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 8 plant nurseries, 8 markets and 12 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Bristol?

In Bristol, crocus: plant from 23 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 Bristol?

Last spring frost around 11 April, first autumn frost around 22 November.

Other crops in Bristol, with their dates