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When to plant crocuses in Inverness: 14 October – end of December

In Inverness, crocus: plant from 14 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Howdens Garden Centre (garden centre, 2 km) and Abriachan Garden Nurseries (plant nursery, 15 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 Inverness: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.1 °C.

Planting14 October – end of December
First autumn frost13 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:31 on 14 October
Daylight at the winter solstice6:36

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

Crocus in Inverness: 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 Inverness the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 30 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 Inverness, Edinburgh is 4 days earlier and Aberdeen 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Aberdeen133 km21 October – end of December7 days later
Dundee135 km13 October – end of December1 day earlier
Glasgow180 km12 October – end of December2 days earlier
Edinburgh181 km10 October – end of December4 days earlier
Carlisle299 km16 October – end of December2 days later
Newcastle upon Tyne321 km21 October – end of December7 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Inverness

Planting stock goes into the ground from 14 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Inverness OpenStreetMap lists 4 garden centres, 1 plant nursery and 4 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Inverness?

In Inverness, crocus: plant from 14 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 Inverness?

Last spring frost around 1 May, first autumn frost around 13 November.

Other crops in Inverness, with their dates