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When to plant crocuses in Milan: 31 October – end of December

In Milan, crocus: plant from 31 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Mygrass (garden centre, 2 km) and Hobby Garden dei Navigli (garden centre, 3 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 Milan: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.4 °C.

Planting31 October – end of December
First autumn frost30 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:12 on 31 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:43

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

Crocus in Milan: 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 Milan 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 Milan, Bellinzona is 15 days earlier and Lugano 5 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Como40 km24 October – end of December7 days earlier
Novara44 km23 October – end of December8 days earlier
Bergamo46 km19 October – end of December12 days earlier
Piacenza60 km1 November – end of December1 day later
Lugano63 km5 November – end of December5 days later
Bellinzona82 km16 October – end of December15 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Milan

Planting stock goes into the ground from 31 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Milan OpenStreetMap lists 30 garden centres, 4 plant nurseries, 55 markets and 10 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Milan?

In Milan, crocus: plant from 31 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 Milan?

Last spring frost around 28 February, first autumn frost around 30 November.

Other crops in Milan, with their dates