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When to plant crocuses in Carlisle: 16 October – end of December

In Carlisle, crocus: plant from 16 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Houghton Hall Garden Centre (garden centre, 5 km) and Aero Nurseries Garden & Aquatic Centre (garden centre, 6 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 Carlisle: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.5 °C.

Planting16 October – end of December
First autumn frost15 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:31 on 16 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:12

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

Crocus in Carlisle: 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 Carlisle 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 Carlisle, Edinburgh is 6 days earlier and Leeds 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Newcastle upon Tyne86 km21 October – end of December5 days later
Edinburgh119 km10 October – end of December6 days earlier
Glasgow136 km12 October – end of December4 days earlier
Bradford145 km19 October – end of December3 days later
Leeds151 km24 October – end of December8 days later
Manchester163 km15 October – end of December1 day earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Carlisle

Planting stock goes into the ground from 16 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Carlisle OpenStreetMap lists 7 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 1 plant nursery and 1 farm shop (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Carlisle?

In Carlisle, crocus: plant from 16 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 Carlisle?

Last spring frost around 26 April, first autumn frost around 15 November.

Other crops in Carlisle, with their dates