When to plant crocuses in Neuchâtel: 29 October – end of December

In Neuchâtel, crocus: plant from 29 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Marché des Chandines (farm shop, 9 km) and Daniel Jacot (farm shop, 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 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 Neuchâtel: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 0.5 °C.

Planting	29 October – end of December
First autumn frost	28 November
Coldest nights	January, 0.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:12 on 29 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:31

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

Crocus in Neuchâtel: 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 Neuchâtel the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 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 earlier than Neuchâtel; the closest date is in Besançon, 10 days earlier.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Fribourg	27 km	7 October – 30 December	22 days earlier
Bern	40 km	4 October – 21 December	25 days earlier
Besançon	75 km	19 October – end of December	10 days earlier
Mulhouse	90 km	18 October – end of December	11 days earlier
Sion	91 km	19 September – 19 November	40 days earlier
Lucerne	105 km	20 September – 29 November	39 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Neuchâtel

Planting stock goes into the ground from 29 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Neuchâtel OpenStreetMap lists 4 garden centres, 3 farm-supply shops, 2 plant nurseries, 2 markets and 20 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Domaine des Savoies — farm shop
Rue des Savoies 8, 1585 Salavaux · Fri 16:00–19:00 · 11 km · hepicerie.ch
Domaine de la Bluette — farm shop
Chemin de Chesard 111, 1543 Grandcour · Mon–Sun 07:00–22:00 · 12 km · la-bluette.ch
Marché Agriland — farm shop
Ressudens 20, 1543 Grandcour · Fri 09:00–12:00; Sat 09:00–12:00 · 13 km · agriland.ch
Marché des Chandines — farm shop
Les Chandines, 1567 Delley · Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00; Sat 08:00–17:00 · 9 km · chandines.ch
Bangomarkt — farm shop
Cudrefinstrasse 52, 3236 Gampelen · 10 km · bangomarkt.com
Hannselade — farm shop
St. Johannsen 43a, 2525 Le Landeron · Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00, 13:00–17:00; Sat–Sun closed · 12 km
Daniel Jacot — farm shop
Route de St-Aubin 42, 1567 Delley · Fri 14:00–18:00; Sat 08:00–12:00 · 9 km
Niederhauser Hofladen — farm shop
Dorfstrasse 26, 3238 Gals · 10 km

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