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When to plant crocuses in Minneapolis: 24 September – 10 November

In Minneapolis, crocus: plant from 24 September to about 10 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include Mandile Fruit Co (farm shop, 2 km) and Mother Earth Gardens (garden centre, 5 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 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 Minneapolis: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–March; the coldest, January, averages -12.6 °C.

Planting24 September – 10 November
First autumn frost24 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -12.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring8 March
Daylight12:07 on 24 September
Daylight at the winter solstice8:46

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

Crocus in Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis 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

Around Minneapolis, Fargo is 8 days earlier and Duluth 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Duluth219 km28 September – 10 November4 days later
Sioux Falls319 km21 September – 16 November3 days earlier
Fargo345 km16 September – 4 November8 days earlier
Cedar Rapids359 km25 September – 25 November1 day later
Madison375 km27 September – 20 November3 days later
Des Moines377 km27 September – 29 November3 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Minneapolis

Planting stock goes into the ground from 24 September to about 10 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Minneapolis OpenStreetMap lists 17 garden centres, 13 markets and 3 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, crocus: plant from 24 September to about 10 November. 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 Minneapolis?

Last spring frost around 28 April, first autumn frost around 24 October.

Other crops in Minneapolis, with their dates