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When to plant crocuses in Edinburgh: 10 October – end of December

In Edinburgh, crocus: plant from 10 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Café & Organic Farm Shop (farm shop, 3 km) and Edinburgh University Landscape Section (plant nursery, 3 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 Edinburgh: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.8 °C.

Planting10 October – end of December
First autumn frost9 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:54 on 10 October
Daylight at the winter solstice6:58

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

Crocus in Edinburgh: 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 Edinburgh 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus later than Edinburgh; the closest date is in Glasgow, 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Dundee59 km13 October – end of December3 days later
Glasgow67 km12 October – end of December2 days later
Carlisle119 km16 October – end of December6 days later
Newcastle upon Tyne147 km21 October – end of December11 days later
Aberdeen148 km21 October – end of December11 days later
Inverness181 km14 October – end of December4 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Edinburgh

Planting stock goes into the ground from 10 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Edinburgh OpenStreetMap lists 8 garden centres, 7 plant nurseries, 7 markets and 4 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Edinburgh?

In Edinburgh, crocus: plant from 10 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 Edinburgh?

Last spring frost around 28 April, first autumn frost around 9 November.

Other crops in Edinburgh, with their dates