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When to plant crocuses in Columbus: 3 October – 25 December

In Columbus, crocus: plant from 3 October to about 25 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Witten Farm Market (farm shop, 11 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 Columbus: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -4.8 °C.

Planting3 October – 25 December
First autumn frost2 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -4.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:43 on 3 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:20

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

Crocus in Columbus: 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 Columbus the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 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

1 of the nearest cities share Columbus's date.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Cincinnati159 km10 October – end of December7 days later
Cleveland203 km22 October – 23 December19 days later
Charleston, West Virginia214 km8 October – end of December5 days later
Fort Wayne220 km3 October – 10 Decembersame day
Frankfort254 km4 October – end of December1 day later
Lexington254 km8 October – end of December5 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Columbus

Planting stock goes into the ground from 3 October to about 25 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Columbus OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 9 markets and 2 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Columbus?

In Columbus, crocus: plant from 3 October to about 25 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 Columbus?

Last spring frost around 22 April, first autumn frost around 2 November.

Other crops in Columbus, with their dates