When to plant crocuses in Charlottetown: 3 October – 20 November

In Charlottetown, crocus: plant from 3 October to about 20 November.

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 date is about two weeks before the average daily temperature here falls below 0 °C (ten years of weather): an estimate, not the day the ground freezes, and a cold spell can freeze it earlier. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS, how the ground freezes (NRC Canada, CBD-26).

Crocus in Charlottetown: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–April; the coldest, February, averages -10.5 °C.

Planting	3 October – 20 November
First autumn frost	2 November
Coldest nights	February, -10.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	1 April
Daylight	11:38 on 3 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:37

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

Crocus in Charlottetown: 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 Charlottetown the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 31 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 Charlottetown, Fredericton is 5 days earlier and Halifax 7 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Moncton	130 km	5 October – 17 November	2 days later
Halifax	179 km	10 October – 1 December	7 days later
Fredericton	275 km	28 September – 11 November	5 days earlier
Augusta	562 km	4 October – 20 November	1 day later
Quebec City	621 km	28 September – 4 November	5 days earlier
Portland, Maine	629 km	5 October – 26 November	2 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Charlottetown

Planting stock goes into the ground from 3 October to about 20 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Charlottetown OpenStreetMap lists 1 farm shop (collected 20 October 2026).

Freshest Fruits and Vegetables — farm shop
2 km

Questions