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

In Brussels, crocus: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Cabas – Marché de producteur·ices (farm shop, 4 km) and Les Amis de la Vivrière (farm shop, 5 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 Brussels: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.2 °C.

Planting23 October – end of December
First autumn frost22 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:17 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:56

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

Crocus in Brussels: 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 Brussels 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

Around Brussels, Charleroi is 7 days earlier and Bruges 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Charleroi49 km16 October – end of December7 days earlier
Ghent49 km25 October – end of December2 days later
Hasselt70 km19 October – end of December4 days earlier
Bruges89 km31 October – end of December8 days later
Liège89 km20 October – end of December3 days earlier
Lille94 km22 October – end of December1 day earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Brussels

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Brussels OpenStreetMap lists 37 garden centres, 12 plant nurseries, 35 markets and 15 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Brussels?

In Brussels, 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 Brussels?

Last spring frost around 10 April, first autumn frost around 22 November.

Other crops in Brussels, with their dates