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When to plant crocuses in Montreal: 2 October – 13 November

In Montreal, crocus: plant from 2 October to about 13 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.

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 Montreal: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–March; the coldest, January, averages -12 °C.

Planting2 October – 13 November
First autumn frost1 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -12 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring20 March
Daylight11:41 on 2 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:42

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

Crocus in Montreal: 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 Montreal 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 Montreal, Montpelier is 15 days earlier and Burlington 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Burlington117 km4 October – 23 November2 days later
Trois-Rivières123 km29 September – 8 November3 days earlier
Sherbrooke132 km27 September – 8 November5 days earlier
Montpelier159 km17 September – 11 November15 days earlier
Ottawa166 km2 October – 10 Novembersame day
Quebec City233 km28 September – 4 November4 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Montreal

Planting stock goes into the ground from 2 October to about 13 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Montreal OpenStreetMap lists 15 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 18 markets and 3 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Montreal?

In Montreal, crocus: plant from 2 October to about 13 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 Montreal?

Last spring frost around 27 April, first autumn frost around 1 November.

Other crops in Montreal, with their dates