When to plant crocuses in Iqaluit: 4 August – 15 September

In Iqaluit, crocus: plant from 4 August to about 15 September.

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 Iqaluit: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in October–May; the coldest, February, averages -29.8 °C.

Planting	4 August – 15 September
First autumn frost	3 September
Coldest nights	February, -29.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	10 June
Daylight	17:35 on 4 August
Daylight at the winter solstice	4:21

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

Crocus in Iqaluit: 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 Iqaluit the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 52 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus later than Iqaluit; the closest date is in Saguenay, 49 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Saguenay	1,710 km	22 September – 30 October	49 days later
Quebec City	1,891 km	28 September – 4 November	55 days later
Trois-Rivières	1,952 km	29 September – 8 November	56 days later
Charlottetown	1,977 km	3 October – 20 November	60 days later
Moncton	1,977 km	5 October – 17 November	62 days later
Fredericton	1,983 km	28 September – 11 November	55 days later

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