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When to plant crocuses in Orléans: 26 October – end of December

In Orléans, crocus: plant from 26 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Centre Production Horticole de la ville d'Orléans (farm shop, 4 km) and Pépinières Jacky Ravazé (farm shop, 4 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 Orléans: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.8 °C.

Planting26 October – end of December
First autumn frost25 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:18 on 26 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:23

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

Crocus in Orléans: 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 Orléans the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 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 Orléans, Reims is 8 days earlier and Angers 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Paris112 km21 October – end of December5 days earlier
Le Mans127 km25 October – end of December1 day earlier
Troyes169 km19 October – end of December7 days earlier
Poitiers188 km20 October – end of December6 days earlier
Angers190 kmby 28 October2 days later
Reims218 km18 October – end of December8 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Orléans

Planting stock goes into the ground from 26 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Orléans OpenStreetMap lists 13 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 3 plant nurseries, 37 markets and 16 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Orléans?

In Orléans, crocus: plant from 26 October to the end of December. 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 Orléans?

Last spring frost around 2 April, first autumn frost around 25 November.

Other crops in Orléans, with their dates