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When to plant crocuses in Nelson: by 22 May

In Nelson, crocus: plant by 22 May. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit. For planting stock, the places nearby include The Eyebright Wool Shop (farm supply, 12 km) and Enhance with Plants (garden centre, 13 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Crocus in Nelson: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in July, average 5.5 °C.

Plantingby 22 May
First autumn frost21 June
Coldest nightsJuly, 5.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of July
Daylight9:38 on 22 May
Daylight at the winter solstice9:11

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

Crocus in Nelson: 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 Nelson the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 11 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. That is less than the bulbs need, and without more cold they may not flower properly. The cold can also be given in a refrigerator at about 2–7 °C, as Wisconsin Horticulture Extension does for crocuses forced in pots.

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

1 of the nearest cities share Nelson's date.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Blenheim63 kmby 1 May21 days earlier
Palmerston North221 kmby 22 Maysame day
Christchurch257 kmby 6 May16 days earlier
Timaru384 kmby 5 May17 days earlier
Rotorua431 kmby 26 April26 days earlier
Dunedin558 km22 April – end of June30 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Nelson

Planting stock goes into the ground by 22 May; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Nelson OpenStreetMap lists 1 garden centre, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery and 2 markets (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Nelson?

In Nelson, crocus: plant by 22 May. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit.

When is the last spring frost in Nelson?

Last spring frost around 4 August, first autumn frost around 21 June.

Other crops in Nelson, with their dates