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When to plant crocuses in Leeds: 24 October – end of December

In Leeds, crocus: plant from 24 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Horsforth Garden Shop (garden centre, 7 km) and Ashtrees Tree Nursery (garden centre, 8 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 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 Leeds: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.9 °C.

Planting24 October – end of December
First autumn frost23 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:01 on 24 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:25

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

Crocus in Leeds: 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 Leeds 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 Leeds, Manchester is 9 days earlier and Liverpool 3 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Bradford13 km19 October – end of December5 days earlier
Sheffield47 km23 October – end of December1 day earlier
Manchester58 km15 October – end of December9 days earlier
Hull80 km25 October – end of December1 day later
Stoke-on-Trent95 km16 October – end of December8 days earlier
Liverpool104 km27 October – end of December3 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Leeds

Planting stock goes into the ground from 24 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Leeds OpenStreetMap lists 24 garden centres, 1 plant nursery, 14 markets and 12 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Leeds?

In Leeds, crocus: plant from 24 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.

When is the last spring frost in Leeds?

Last spring frost around 18 April, first autumn frost around 23 November.

Other crops in Leeds, with their dates