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When to plant crocuses in Edmonton: 6 September – 19 October

In Edmonton, crocus: plant from 6 September to about 19 October. For planting stock, the places nearby include Zocalo Garden (garden centre, 1 km) and Calade Orchids (garden centre, 8 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 Edmonton: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–April; the coldest, February, averages -15.5 °C.

Planting6 September – 19 October
First autumn frost6 October
Coldest nightsFebruary, -15.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring6 April
Daylight13:23 on 6 September
Daylight at the winter solstice7:28

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

Crocus in Edmonton: 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 Edmonton the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 32 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 Edmonton, Calgary is 5 days earlier and Kelowna 25 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Calgary281 km1 September – 26 October5 days earlier
Saskatoon484 km6 September – 19 Octobersame day
Kelowna580 km1 October – 27 November25 days later
Regina698 km6 September – 22 Octobersame day
Spokane711 km15 September – 23 November9 days later
Missoula744 km6 September – 12 Novembersame day

Where to buy crocus for planting in Edmonton

Planting stock goes into the ground from 6 September to about 19 October; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Edmonton OpenStreetMap lists 18 garden centres, 3 farm-supply shops and 9 markets (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Edmonton?

In Edmonton, crocus: plant from 6 September to about 19 October. 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 Edmonton?

Last spring frost around 7 May, first autumn frost around 6 October.

Other crops in Edmonton, with their dates