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When to plant crocuses in Knoxville: by 13 October

In Knoxville, crocus: plant by 13 October. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit. For planting stock, the places nearby include Plush Moon Terrarium (garden centre, 2 km) and Mayo Garden Center (garden centre, 6 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Crocus in Knoxville: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.5 °C.

Plantingby 13 October
First autumn frost12 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:24 on 13 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:43

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

Crocus in Knoxville: 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 Knoxville the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 15 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 Knoxville, Asheville is 10 days earlier and Atlanta 10 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Asheville130 km3 October – end of December10 days earlier
Chattanooga156 kmby 13 Octobersame day
Lexington231 km8 October – end of December5 days earlier
Atlanta249 kmby 23 October10 days later
Nashville258 kmby 15 October2 days later
Frankfort263 km4 October – end of December9 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Knoxville

Planting stock goes into the ground by 13 October; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Knoxville OpenStreetMap lists 7 garden centres, 1 plant nursery and 5 markets (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Knoxville?

In Knoxville, crocus: plant by 13 October. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit.

When is the last spring frost in Knoxville?

Last spring frost around 29 March, first autumn frost around 12 November.

Other crops in Knoxville, with their dates