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When to plant crocuses in Saint-Étienne: 18 October – end of December

In Saint-Étienne, crocus: plant from 18 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Jardiland (garden centre, 3 km) and Gamm Vert (garden centre, 8 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 Saint-Étienne: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.9 °C.

Planting18 October – end of December
First autumn frost17 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:51 on 18 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:43

The same dates in Saint-Étienne hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Hyacinth.

Crocus in Saint-Étienne: 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 Saint-Étienne 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 Saint-Étienne, Grenoble is 23 days earlier and Lyon 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Lyon50 km26 October – end of December8 days later
Valence70 km22 October – end of December4 days later
Grenoble108 km25 September – 1 December23 days earlier
Clermont-Ferrand109 km13 October – end of December5 days earlier
Annecy145 km15 October – end of December3 days earlier
Geneva160 km18 October – end of Decembersame day

Where to buy crocus for planting in Saint-Étienne

Planting stock goes into the ground from 18 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Saint-Étienne OpenStreetMap lists 12 garden centres, 5 farm-supply shops, 1 plant nursery, 21 markets and 13 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Saint-Étienne?

In Saint-Étienne, crocus: plant from 18 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 Saint-Étienne?

Last spring frost around 13 April, first autumn frost around 17 November.

Other crops in Saint-Étienne, with their dates