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When to plant crocuses in Cambridge: 25 October – end of December

In Cambridge, crocus: plant from 25 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Coton Orchard Garden Centre (garden centre, 4 km) and Coton Farm Shop (farm shop, 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 Cambridge: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.7 °C.

Planting25 October – end of December
First autumn frost24 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:04 on 25 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:43

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

Crocus in Cambridge: 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge, Coventry is 7 days earlier and Brighton 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Ipswich73 km30 October – end of December5 days later
London79 km24 October – end of December1 day earlier
Norwich93 km29 October – end of December4 days later
Coventry113 km18 October – end of December7 days earlier
Birmingham140 km20 October – end of December5 days earlier
Brighton153 kmby 1 November7 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Cambridge

Planting stock goes into the ground from 25 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Cambridge OpenStreetMap lists 11 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 2 markets and 7 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Cambridge?

In Cambridge, crocus: plant from 25 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 Cambridge?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 24 November.

Other crops in Cambridge, with their dates