When to plant crocuses in Evansville: 11 October – end of December

In Evansville, crocus: plant from 11 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Kiwi's Garden Center (garden centre, 2 km) and Benton’s Garden Center (garden centre, 14 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 Evansville: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January, February; the coldest, January, averages -2.3 °C.

Planting	11 October – end of December
First autumn frost	10 November
Coldest nights	January, -2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	11:25 on 11 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:32

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

Crocus in Evansville: 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 Evansville the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 18 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 Evansville, Frankfort is 7 days earlier and Nashville 4 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Louisville	159 km	12 October – end of December	1 day later
Nashville	214 km	by 15 October	4 days later
Indianapolis	233 km	7 October – 23 December	4 days earlier
Frankfort	236 km	4 October – end of December	7 days earlier
St. Louis	242 km	5 October – end of December	6 days earlier
Lexington	269 km	8 October – end of December	3 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Evansville

Planting stock goes into the ground from 11 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Evansville OpenStreetMap lists 3 garden centres and 1 market (collected 28 October 2026).

Benton’s Garden Center — garden centre
US Highway 60 East 3000, 42420 Henderson · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30; Sat 09:00–16:00; Sun closed · 14 km · bentonsgardencenterandsweetpeasgiftshop.com
Kiwi's Garden Center — garden centre
North 1st Avenue 100, 47710 Evansville · 2 km
Town Center North — market
East Diamond Avenue 580, 47711 · Mon–Sat 09:00–20:00 · 2 km
Goebel Farms — garden centre
15 km

Questions