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When to plant crocuses in Caen: by 5 November

In Caen, crocus: plant by 5 November. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit. For planting stock, the places nearby include La Ronde des Légumes (farm shop, 7 km) and Fremont Maraîchage (farm shop, 12 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Crocus in Caen: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 3.2 °C.

Plantingby 5 November
First autumn frost5 December
Coldest nightsJanuary, 3.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight9:40 on 5 November
Daylight at the winter solstice8:12

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

Crocus in Caen: 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 Caen the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 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 Caen, Paris is 15 days earlier and Le Havre 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Le Havre48 kmby 12 November7 days later
Le Mans139 km25 October – end of December11 days earlier
Rennes154 kmby 29 October7 days earlier
Brighton183 kmby 1 November4 days earlier
Angers192 kmby 28 October8 days earlier
Paris201 km21 October – end of December15 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Caen

Planting stock goes into the ground by 5 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Caen OpenStreetMap lists 14 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 7 plant nurseries, 20 markets and 22 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Caen?

In Caen, crocus: plant by 5 November. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit.

When is the last spring frost in Caen?

Last spring frost around 12 March, first autumn frost around 5 December.

Other crops in Caen, with their dates