When to plant crocuses in New Haven: 13 October – end of December

In New Haven, crocus: plant from 13 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Shoreline Nursery (garden centre, 7 km) and Q-Gardens (garden centre, 12 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 New Haven: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -3.4 °C.

Planting	13 October – end of December
First autumn frost	12 November
Coldest nights	January, -3.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	11:15 on 13 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:11

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

Crocus in New Haven: 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 New Haven the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 23 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 New Haven, Manchester (United States) is 10 days earlier and New York 8 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
New York	113 km	21 October – end of December	8 days later
Providence	138 km	9 October – 30 December	4 days earlier
Albany	164 km	7 October – 30 November	6 days earlier
Boston	193 km	14 October – 29 December	1 day later
Trenton	197 km	13 October – end of December	same day
Manchester (United States)	222 km	3 October – 27 November	10 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in New Haven

Planting stock goes into the ground from 13 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of New Haven OpenStreetMap lists 5 garden centres, 1 plant nursery, 1 market and 3 farm shops (collected 28 October 2026).

Hindinger Farm Store — farm shop
8 km
Frankie's Fruits & Vegetables — farm shop
13 km
Shoreline Nursery — garden centre
South End Road 9, 06512 East Haven · 7 km
Q-Gardens — garden centre
Boston Post Road 1546, 06461 Milford · 12 km
Van Wilgen's Garden Center — garden centre
Valley Road 51, 06471 North Branford · 13 km
Shelton Farmer's Market — market
Canal Street East 100, 06484 Shelton · 14 km
HTG Supply — garden centre
9 km
Simon’ Greenhouse — garden centre
11 km

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