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When to plant crocuses in Kelowna: 1 October – 27 November

In Kelowna, crocus: plant from 1 October to about 27 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include Plant Gather (garden centre, 2 km) and Stone Pillow Farms (farm shop, 4 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 Kelowna: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–March; the coldest, February, averages -5.2 °C.

Planting1 October – 27 November
First autumn frost31 October
Coldest nightsFebruary, -5.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring5 March
Daylight11:41 on 1 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:06

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

Crocus in Kelowna: 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 Kelowna the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 27 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 Kelowna, Calgary is 30 days earlier and Victoria 51 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Vancouver270 km18 October – end of December17 days later
Spokane289 km15 September – 23 November16 days earlier
Victoria325 km21 November – end of December51 days later
Seattle327 km25 October – end of December24 days later
Olympia404 km16 October – end of December15 days later
Calgary405 km1 September – 26 October30 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Kelowna

Planting stock goes into the ground from 1 October to about 27 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Kelowna OpenStreetMap lists 3 garden centres, 4 markets and 4 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Kelowna?

In Kelowna, crocus: plant from 1 October to about 27 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 Kelowna?

Last spring frost around 18 April, first autumn frost around 31 October.

Other crops in Kelowna, with their dates