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When to plant crocuses in Moscow: 14 September – 2 November

In Moscow, crocus: plant from 14 September to about 2 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include Садовод.орг (garden centre, 5 km) and Hmark (garden centre, 9 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 Moscow: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–March; the coldest, January, averages -9.3 °C.

Planting14 September – 2 November
First autumn frost14 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -9.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring30 March
Daylight12:54 on 14 September
Daylight at the winter solstice7:00

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

Crocus in Moscow: 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 Moscow the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 31 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 Moscow, Tver is 4 days earlier and Ryazan 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Kaluga161 km11 September – 5 November3 days earlier
Tver162 km10 September – 1 November4 days earlier
Tula175 km15 September – 4 November1 day later
Vladimir178 km15 September – 30 October1 day later
Ryazan182 km23 September – 5 November9 days later
Ivanovo248 km11 September – 28 October3 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Moscow

Planting stock goes into the ground from 14 September to about 2 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Moscow OpenStreetMap lists 31 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 3 plant nurseries, 77 markets and 12 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Moscow?

In Moscow, crocus: plant from 14 September to about 2 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 Moscow?

Last spring frost around 29 April, first autumn frost around 14 October.

Other crops in Moscow, with their dates