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When to plant crocuses in Manchester: 15 October – end of December

In Manchester, crocus: plant from 15 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 Manchester: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.5 °C.

Planting15 October – end of December
First autumn frost14 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:39 on 15 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:28

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

Crocus in Manchester: 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 Manchester 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus later than Manchester; the closest date is in Stoke-on-Trent, 1 day later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Bradford47 km19 October – end of December4 days later
Liverpool50 km27 October – end of December12 days later
Stoke-on-Trent50 km16 October – end of December1 day later
Sheffield52 km23 October – end of December8 days later
Leeds58 km24 October – end of December9 days later
Birmingham113 km20 October – end of December5 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Manchester

Planting stock goes into the ground from 15 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Manchester OpenStreetMap lists 24 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 6 plant nurseries, 22 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Manchester?

In Manchester, crocus: plant from 15 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 Manchester?

Last spring frost around 22 April, first autumn frost around 14 November.

Other crops in Manchester, with their dates