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When to plant crocuses in Pittsburgh: 10 October – 22 December

In Pittsburgh, crocus: plant from 10 October to about 22 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Sestili Nursery (plant nursery, 4 km) and Tree Pittsburgh (plant nursery, 7 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 date is about two weeks before the average daily temperature here falls below 0 °C (ten years of weather): an estimate, not the day the ground freezes, and a cold spell can freeze it earlier. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS, how the ground freezes (NRC Canada, CBD-26).

Crocus in Pittsburgh: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -5 °C.

Planting10 October – 22 December
First autumn frost9 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:24 on 10 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:17

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

Crocus in Pittsburgh: 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, Columbus is 7 days earlier and Cleveland 12 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Cleveland185 km22 October – 23 December12 days later
Erie188 km20 October – 22 December10 days later
Columbus260 km3 October – 25 December7 days earlier
Charleston, West Virginia271 km8 October – end of December2 days earlier
Buffalo288 km11 October – 6 December1 day later
Washington, D.C.305 km17 October – end of December7 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Pittsburgh

Planting stock goes into the ground from 10 October to about 22 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Pittsburgh OpenStreetMap lists 11 garden centres, 4 plant nurseries, 23 markets and 4 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Pittsburgh?

In Pittsburgh, crocus: plant from 10 October to about 22 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 Pittsburgh?

Last spring frost around 19 April, first autumn frost around 9 November.

Other crops in Pittsburgh, with their dates