When to plant crocuses in Dover: 27 October – end of December

In Dover, crocus: plant from 27 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Lancaster County Farmers Market (farm shop, 1 km) and Tractor Supply Co (farm shop, 7 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 Dover: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -1 °C.

Planting	27 October – end of December
First autumn frost	26 November
Coldest nights	January, -1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:44 on 27 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:25

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

Crocus in Dover: 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 Dover 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus earlier than Dover; the closest date is in Baltimore, 4 days earlier.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Annapolis	87 km	20 October – end of December	7 days earlier
Philadelphia	93 km	12 October – end of December	15 days earlier
Baltimore	95 km	23 October – end of December	4 days earlier
Atlantic City	97 km	23 October – end of December	4 days earlier
Washington, D.C.	134 km	17 October – end of December	10 days earlier
Trenton	134 km	13 October – end of December	14 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Dover

Planting stock goes into the ground from 27 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Dover OpenStreetMap lists 1 market and 2 farm shops (collected 28 October 2026).

Spence's Bazaar — market
South New Street 550, 19904 · Tue, Fri 07:30–17:00; Sat 07:30–15:00 · 1 km
Lancaster County Farmers Market — farm shop
South New Street 544, 19904 · Tue, Fri 07:00–17:00; Sat 07:00–15:00 · 1 km
Tractor Supply Co — farm shop
South Dupont Highway 4089, 19901 · Mon–Sat 08:00–20:00; Sun 09:00–19:00 · 7 km

Questions