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When to plant crocuses in Cork: 22 October – end of December

In Cork, crocus: plant from 22 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Deep Route Garden­ing (garden centre, 1 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 Cork: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 3.2 °C.

Planting22 October – end of December
First autumn frost21 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 3.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:17 on 22 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:46

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

Crocus in Cork: 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 Cork the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 27 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 Cork, Waterford is 1 day earlier and Galway 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Tralee94 kmby 23 October1 day later
Waterford101 kmby 21 October1 day earlier
Galway157 kmby 29 October7 days later
Athlone173 km27 October – end of December5 days later
Dublin220 km25 October – end of December3 days later
Sligo264 km22 October – end of Decembersame day

Where to buy crocus for planting in Cork

Planting stock goes into the ground from 22 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Cork OpenStreetMap lists 15 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop and 3 markets (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Cork?

In Cork, crocus: plant from 22 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 Cork?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 21 November.

Other crops in Cork, with their dates