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When to plant crocuses in Lexington: 8 October – end of December

In Lexington, crocus: plant from 8 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 Lexington: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -2.8 °C.

Planting8 October – end of December
First autumn frost7 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -2.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:32 on 8 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:32

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

Crocus in Lexington: 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 Lexington the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 19 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 Lexington, Frankfort is 4 days earlier and Knoxville 5 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Frankfort41 km4 October – end of December4 days earlier
Louisville116 km12 October – end of December4 days later
Cincinnati127 km10 October – end of December2 days later
Knoxville231 kmby 13 October5 days later
Indianapolis246 km7 October – 23 December1 day earlier
Charleston, West Virginia252 km8 October – end of Decembersame day

Where to buy crocus for planting in Lexington

Planting stock goes into the ground from 8 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Lexington OpenStreetMap lists 1 plant nursery and 4 markets (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Lexington?

In Lexington, crocus: plant from 8 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 Lexington?

Last spring frost around 10 April, first autumn frost around 7 November.

Other crops in Lexington, with their dates