Greenly Garden

When to plant crocuses in Charleston, West Virginia: 8 October – end of December

In Charleston, West Virginia, crocus: plant from 8 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Green's Feed & Seed (farm supply, 1 km) and Stinger Produce Market (farm shop, 12 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 Charleston, West Virginia: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -2.5 °C.

Planting8 October – end of December
First autumn frost7 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -2.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:32 on 8 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:29

The same dates in Charleston, West Virginia hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Hyacinth.

Crocus in Charleston, West Virginia: 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 Charleston, West Virginia the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 19 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 Charleston, West Virginia, Columbus is 5 days earlier and Cincinnati 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Columbus214 km3 October – 25 December5 days earlier
Lexington252 km8 October – end of Decembersame day
Cincinnati264 km10 October – end of December2 days later
Pittsburgh271 km10 October – 22 December2 days later
Frankfort283 km4 October – end of December4 days earlier
Asheville317 km3 October – end of December5 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Charleston, West Virginia

Planting stock goes into the ground from 8 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Charleston, West Virginia OpenStreetMap lists 1 garden centre, 1 farm-supply shop, 3 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Charleston, West Virginia?

In Charleston, West Virginia, crocus: plant from 8 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 Charleston, West Virginia?

Last spring frost around 10 April, first autumn frost around 7 November.

Other crops in Charleston, West Virginia, with their dates