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When to plant crocuses in Exeter: 28 October – end of December

In Exeter, crocus: plant from 28 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.

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 Exeter: soil, season and weather

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

Planting28 October – end of December
First autumn frost27 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:00 on 28 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:58

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

Crocus in Exeter: 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 Exeter 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 Exeter, Coventry is 10 days earlier and Swansea 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Swansea104 kmby 1 November4 days later
Bristol104 km23 October – end of December5 days earlier
Birmingham227 km20 October – end of December8 days earlier
Coventry234 km18 October – end of December10 days earlier
Brighton239 kmby 1 November4 days later
London253 km24 October – end of December4 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Exeter

Planting stock goes into the ground from 28 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Exeter OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery, 2 markets and 13 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Exeter?

In Exeter, crocus: plant from 28 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 Exeter?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 27 November.

Other crops in Exeter, with their dates