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When to plant crocuses in Rockford: 28 September – 25 November

In Rockford, crocus: plant from 28 September to about 25 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include Landscape Connection (garden centre, 7 km) and Walmart Garden Center (garden centre, 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 Rockford: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–March; the coldest, January, averages -8.9 °C.

Planting28 September – 25 November
First autumn frost28 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -8.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring28 February
Daylight11:55 on 28 September
Daylight at the winter solstice9:05

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

Crocus in Rockford: 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 Rockford 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

Around Rockford, Cedar Rapids is 3 days earlier and Chicago 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Madison94 km27 September – 20 November1 day earlier
Chicago125 km7 October – 3 December9 days later
Milwaukee128 km2 October – 25 November4 days later
Davenport149 km30 September – 30 November2 days later
Peoria180 km1 October – 9 December3 days later
Cedar Rapids219 km25 September – 25 November3 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Rockford

Planting stock goes into the ground from 28 September to about 25 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Rockford OpenStreetMap lists 10 garden centres (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Rockford?

In Rockford, crocus: plant from 28 September to about 25 November. 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 Rockford?

Last spring frost around 26 April, first autumn frost around 28 October.

Other crops in Rockford, with their dates