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When to plant crocuses in Portland: 23 October – end of December

In Portland, crocus: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Xera Plants (garden centre, 2 km) and Arium (garden centre, 3 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 Portland: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in February, average 1.1 °C.

Planting23 October – end of December
First autumn frost22 November
Coldest nightsFebruary, 1.1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:36 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:42

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

Crocus in Portland: 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 Portland the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 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 Portland, Medford is 33 days earlier and Victoria 29 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Salem70 km18 October – end of December5 days earlier
Eugene166 km29 September – end of December24 days earlier
Olympia170 km16 October – end of December7 days earlier
Seattle234 km25 October – end of December2 days later
Victoria328 km21 November – end of December29 days later
Medford352 km20 September – end of December33 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Portland

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Portland OpenStreetMap lists 43 garden centres, 6 farm-supply shops, 6 plant nurseries, 13 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Portland?

In Portland, crocus: plant from 23 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 Portland?

Last spring frost around 26 March, first autumn frost around 22 November.

Other crops in Portland, with their dates