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When to plant crocuses in Erie: 20 October – 22 December

In Erie, crocus: plant from 20 October to about 22 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include The Garden House (garden centre, 3 km) and Mason Farms (farm shop, 6 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 Erie: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–March; the coldest, January, averages -3.8 °C.

Planting20 October – 22 December
First autumn frost19 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -3.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:54 on 20 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:06

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

Crocus in Erie: 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 Erie the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 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 Erie, Kitchener is 24 days earlier and Cleveland 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Hamilton126 km8 October – 10 December12 days earlier
Buffalo130 km11 October – 6 December9 days earlier
Kitchener149 km26 September – 21 November24 days earlier
Cleveland151 km22 October – 23 December2 days later
Toronto178 km30 September – 25 November20 days earlier
Pittsburgh188 km10 October – 22 December10 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Erie

Planting stock goes into the ground from 20 October to about 22 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Erie OpenStreetMap lists 4 garden centres and 2 farm shops (collected 29 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Erie?

In Erie, crocus: plant from 20 October to about 22 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 Erie?

Last spring frost around 10 April, first autumn frost around 19 November.

Other crops in Erie, with their dates