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When to plant crocuses in Murmansk: 3 September – 9 October

In Murmansk, crocus: plant from 3 September to about 9 October.

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 Murmansk: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in October–April; the coldest, January, averages -13.7 °C.

Planting3 September – 9 October
First autumn frost3 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -13.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring4 May
Daylight15:04 on 3 September
Daylight at the winter solstice0:00

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

Crocus in Murmansk: 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 Murmansk the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 41 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

All the nearest cities on our list plant crocus later than Murmansk; the closest date is in Arkhangelsk, 5 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Arkhangelsk589 km8 September – 20 October5 days later
Petrozavodsk802 km17 September – 24 October14 days later
Saint Petersburg1,013 km20 September – 10 November17 days later
Helsinki1,051 km20 September – 25 November17 days later
Cherepovets1,118 km17 September – 25 October14 days later
Vologda1,131 km10 September – 25 October7 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Murmansk

Planting stock goes into the ground from 3 September to about 9 October; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Murmansk OpenStreetMap lists 1 market and 1 farm shop (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Murmansk?

In Murmansk, crocus: plant from 3 September to about 9 October. 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 Murmansk?

Last spring frost around 24 May, first autumn frost around 3 October.

Other crops in Murmansk, with their dates