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When to plant crocuses in Dublin: 25 October – end of December

In Dublin, crocus: plant from 25 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Bainne Bó (farm shop, 9 km) and Keelings (farm shop, 10 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 Dublin: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.3 °C.

Planting25 October – end of December
First autumn frost24 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight9:59 on 25 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:30

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

Crocus in Dublin: 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 Dublin the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 29 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 Dublin, Belfast is 5 days earlier and Galway 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Dundalk73 km21 October – end of December4 days earlier
Athlone112 km27 October – end of December2 days later
Waterford134 kmby 21 October4 days earlier
Belfast141 km20 October – end of December5 days earlier
Sligo178 km22 October – end of December3 days earlier
Galway186 kmby 29 October4 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Dublin

Planting stock goes into the ground from 25 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Dublin OpenStreetMap lists 23 garden centres, 2 plant nurseries, 15 markets and 2 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Dublin?

In Dublin, crocus: plant from 25 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 Dublin?

Last spring frost around 7 April, first autumn frost around 24 November.

Other crops in Dublin, with their dates