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When to plant crocuses in Lincoln: 28 September – 7 December

In Lincoln, crocus: plant from 28 September to about 7 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 date is about two weeks before the average daily temperature here falls below 0 °C (ten years of weather): an estimate, not the day the ground freezes, and a cold spell can freeze it earlier. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS, how the ground freezes (NRC Canada, CBD-26).

Crocus in Lincoln: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -7.3 °C.

Planting28 September – 7 December
First autumn frost28 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -7.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring27 January
Daylight11:56 on 28 September
Daylight at the winter solstice9:15

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

Crocus in Lincoln: 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 Lincoln the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 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 Lincoln, Sioux Falls is 7 days earlier and Kansas City 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Omaha79 km26 September – 30 November2 days earlier
Grand Island143 km27 September – 1 December1 day earlier
Topeka215 km29 September – 30 December1 day later
Kansas City261 km2 October – end of December4 days later
Des Moines271 km27 September – 29 November1 day earlier
Sioux Falls304 km21 September – 16 November7 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Lincoln

Planting stock goes into the ground from 28 September to about 7 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Lincoln OpenStreetMap lists 7 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 7 plant nurseries and 1 market (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Lincoln?

In Lincoln, crocus: plant from 28 September to about 7 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 Lincoln?

Last spring frost around 16 April, first autumn frost around 28 October.

Other crops in Lincoln, with their dates