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When to plant crocuses in Fargo: 16 September – 4 November

In Fargo, crocus: plant from 16 September to about 4 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include Hildbrants Farmers Market (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 Fargo: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–April; the coldest, January, averages -14.9 °C.

Planting16 September – 4 November
First autumn frost16 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -14.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring20 March
Daylight12:33 on 16 September
Daylight at the winter solstice8:31

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

Crocus in Fargo: 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 Fargo the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 28 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 Fargo, Winnipeg is 4 days earlier and Duluth 12 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Bismarck303 km15 September – 4 November1 day earlier
Winnipeg337 km12 September – 26 October4 days earlier
Minneapolis345 km24 September – 10 November8 days later
Duluth356 km28 September – 10 November12 days later
Sioux Falls371 km21 September – 16 November5 days later
Pierre391 km24 September – 19 November8 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Fargo

Planting stock goes into the ground from 16 September to about 4 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Fargo OpenStreetMap lists 3 garden centres and 3 markets (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Fargo?

In Fargo, crocus: plant from 16 September to about 4 November. 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 Fargo?

Last spring frost around 30 April, first autumn frost around 16 October.

Other crops in Fargo, with their dates