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When to plant crocuses in Potsdam: 22 October – end of December

In Potsdam, crocus: plant from 22 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Königlicher Gutsladen (farm shop, 2 km) and Döberitzer Heide-Galloways (farm shop, 9 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 Potsdam: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.4 °C.

Planting22 October – end of December
First autumn frost21 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:15 on 22 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:40

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

Crocus in Potsdam: 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 Potsdam the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 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 earlier than Potsdam; the closest date is in Berlin, 2 days earlier.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Berlin27 km20 October – end of December2 days earlier
Magdeburg102 km19 October – end of December3 days earlier
Leipzig127 km18 October – end of December4 days earlier
Szczecin152 km18 October – end of December4 days earlier
Dresden157 km19 October – end of December3 days earlier
Zielona Góra175 km14 October – end of December8 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Potsdam

Planting stock goes into the ground from 22 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Potsdam OpenStreetMap lists 16 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 8 plant nurseries, 12 markets and 28 farm shops (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Potsdam?

In Potsdam, crocus: plant from 22 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 Potsdam?

Last spring frost around 5 April, first autumn frost around 21 November.

Other crops in Potsdam, with their dates