When to plant crocuses in León (Spain): 9 October – end of December

In León (Spain), crocus: plant from 9 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 León (Spain): soil, season and weather

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

Planting	9 October – end of December
First autumn frost	8 November
Coldest nights	January, -0.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	11:24 on 9 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:03

The same dates in León (Spain) hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Hyacinth.

Crocus in León (Spain): 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 León (Spain) 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus later than León (Spain); the closest date is in Palencia, 4 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Ponferrada	84 km	28 October – end of December	19 days later
Oviedo	88 km	by 6 November	28 days later
Gijón	105 km	by 17 November	39 days later
Palencia	108 km	13 October – end of December	4 days later
Zamora	122 km	19 October – end of December	10 days later
Valladolid	127 km	28 October – end of December	19 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in León (Spain)

Planting stock goes into the ground from 9 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of León (Spain) OpenStreetMap lists 1 plant nursery and 1 market (collected 27 October 2026).

Mercado del Conde Luna — market
Mon–Thu 09:00–15:00; Fri, Sat 08:00–15:00 · 0 km
Viveros Galileo — plant nursery
6 km

Questions