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When to plant crocuses in Kyoto: 7 November – end of December

In Kyoto, crocus: plant from 7 November 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 Kyoto: soil, season and weather

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

Planting7 November – end of December
First autumn frost7 December
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:35 on 7 November
Daylight at the winter solstice9:48

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

Crocus in Kyoto: 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 Kyoto the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 17 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 Kyoto, Hiroshima is 12 days earlier and Hamamatsu 11 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Osaka43 km17 November – end of December10 days later
Nagoya105 km10 November – end of December3 days later
Okayama174 km15 November – end of December8 days later
Hamamatsu182 kmby 18 November11 days later
Hiroshima311 km26 October – end of December12 days earlier
Tokyo363 km14 November – end of December7 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Kyoto

Planting stock goes into the ground from 7 November to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Kyoto OpenStreetMap lists 16 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery, 6 markets and 19 farm shops (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Kyoto?

In Kyoto, crocus: plant from 7 November 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 Kyoto?

Last spring frost around 22 March, first autumn frost around 7 December.

Other crops in Kyoto, with their dates