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When to plant crocuses in Palmerston North: by 22 May

In Palmerston North, 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 Innerwell Nursery (garden centre, 11 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Crocus in Palmerston North: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in August, average 6.1 °C.

Plantingby 22 May
First autumn frost21 June
Coldest nightsAugust, 6.1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of July
Daylight9:43 on 22 May
Daylight at the winter solstice9:17

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

Crocus in Palmerston North: 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 Palmerston North the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 6 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 Palmerston North's date.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Blenheim189 kmby 1 May21 days earlier
Nelson221 kmby 22 Maysame day
Rotorua253 kmby 26 April26 days earlier
Christchurch430 kmby 6 May16 days earlier
Timaru573 kmby 5 May17 days earlier
Dunedin740 km22 April – end of June30 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Palmerston North

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

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Palmerston North?

In Palmerston North, 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 Palmerston North?

Last spring frost around 11 August, first autumn frost around 21 June.

Other crops in Palmerston North, with their dates