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When to plant crocuses in Cleveland: 22 October – 23 December

In Cleveland, crocus: plant from 22 October to about 23 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Bremec on the Heights Garden Center (garden centre, 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 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 Cleveland: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -3.9 °C.

Planting22 October – 23 December
First autumn frost21 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -3.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:50 on 22 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:10

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

Crocus in Cleveland: 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 Cleveland the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus earlier than Cleveland; the closest date is in Erie, 2 days earlier.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Detroit145 km8 October – 7 December14 days earlier
Erie151 km20 October – 22 December2 days earlier
Pittsburgh185 km10 October – 22 December12 days earlier
Ann Arbor191 km6 October – 30 November16 days earlier
Columbus203 km3 October – 25 December19 days earlier
Kitchener236 km26 September – 21 November26 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Cleveland

Planting stock goes into the ground from 22 October to about 23 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Cleveland OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres and 8 markets (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Cleveland?

In Cleveland, crocus: plant from 22 October to about 23 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 Cleveland?

Last spring frost around 9 April, first autumn frost around 21 November.

Other crops in Cleveland, with their dates