When to plant crocuses in Kherson: 18 October – end of December

In Kherson, crocus: plant from 18 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 Kherson: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January, February; the coldest, January, averages -2.9 °C.

Planting	18 October – end of December
First autumn frost	17 November
Coldest nights	January, -2.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:48 on 18 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:33

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

Crocus in Kherson: 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 Kherson the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 23 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 Kherson, Kropyvnytskyi is 10 days earlier and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi 9 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Mykolaiv	61 km	11 October – 30 December	7 days earlier
Odesa	146 km	26 October – end of December	8 days later
Nikopol	169 km	21 October – end of December	3 days later
Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi	181 km	27 October – end of December	9 days later
Kropyvnytskyi	210 km	8 October – 10 December	10 days earlier
Zaporizhzhia	232 km	13 October – 20 December	5 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Kherson

Planting stock goes into the ground from 18 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Kherson OpenStreetMap lists 3 garden centres, 10 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 7 October 2026).

Questions