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

In Modena, crocus: plant from 31 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include L’Agricola (farm supply, 1 km) and Tecno Agricola (farm supply, 2 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 Modena: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.3 °C.

Planting	31 October – end of December
First autumn frost	30 November
Coldest nights	January, -0.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:16 on 31 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:49

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

Crocus in Modena: 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 Modena the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 18 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 Modena, Pisa is 12 days earlier and Piacenza 1 day later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Bologna	37 km	30 October – end of December	1 day earlier
Verona	88 km	28 October – end of December	3 days earlier
Florence	101 km	by 28 October	3 days earlier
Piacenza	107 km	1 November – end of December	1 day later
Vicenza	111 km	25 October – end of December	6 days earlier
Pisa	113 km	19 October – end of December	12 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Modena

Planting stock goes into the ground from 31 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Modena OpenStreetMap lists 6 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 6 plant nurseries, 5 markets and 9 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Azienda Agricola Vandelli — farm shop
12 km
Gambarelli Gianni e Dino s.n.c. — farm shop
14 km
Mercato Coperto Albinelli — market
Via Luigi Albinelli 13, 41121 Modena · Mon–Sat 06:30–14:30 · 1 km · mercatoalbinelli.it
Il Mercato Campagna Amica — market
Sun–Fri 08:00–14:30; Sat 08:00–14:30 · 1 km · campagnamica.it
Mercato settimanale — market
Piazza Salvo D'Acquisto, 41042 Fiorano Modenese · Thu 07:00–13:00 · 15 km
Mercato 1 Maggio — market
Mon–Sat 07:30–19:00 · 1 km
Tecno Agricola — farm supply
Via Europa 20, 41122 Modena · Mon–Fri 08:00–12:30, 15:00–19:00; Sat 08:00–12:30 · 2 km · tecnoagricolamodena.it
L’Agricola — farm supply
Via Francesco Selmi 31, 41121 Modena · 1 km

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