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When to plant crocuses in Poitiers: 20 October – end of December

In Poitiers, crocus: plant from 20 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Plaisirs Fermiers (farm shop, 4 km) and Autour des plantes (farm shop, 6 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 Poitiers: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.5 °C.

Planting20 October – end of December
First autumn frost19 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.5 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:42 on 20 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:34

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

Crocus in Poitiers: 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 Poitiers the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 20 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 later than Poitiers; the closest date is in Le Mans, 5 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Limoges109 km28 October – end of December8 days later
Angers120 kmby 28 October8 days later
La Rochelle123 kmby 12 November23 days later
Le Mans158 km25 October – end of December5 days later
Nantes160 kmby 30 October10 days later
Orléans188 km26 October – end of December6 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Poitiers

Planting stock goes into the ground from 20 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Poitiers OpenStreetMap lists 6 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 3 markets and 5 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Poitiers?

In Poitiers, crocus: plant from 20 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 Poitiers?

Last spring frost around 19 March, first autumn frost around 19 November.

Other crops in Poitiers, with their dates