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When to plant crocuses in Saskatoon: 6 September – 19 October

In Saskatoon, crocus: plant from 6 September to about 19 October. For planting stock, the places nearby include Korpan Equipment (farm supply, 5 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 Saskatoon: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–April; the coldest, February, averages -18.7 °C.

Planting6 September – 19 October
First autumn frost6 October
Coldest nightsFebruary, -18.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring10 April
Daylight13:19 on 6 September
Daylight at the winter solstice7:43

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

Crocus in Saskatoon: 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 Saskatoon the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 31 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 Saskatoon, Calgary is 5 days earlier and Billings 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Regina235 km6 September – 22 Octobersame day
Edmonton484 km6 September – 19 Octobersame day
Calgary525 km1 September – 26 October5 days earlier
Winnipeg711 km12 September – 26 October6 days later
Billings719 km14 September – 23 November8 days later
Helena727 km3 September – 5 November3 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Saskatoon

Planting stock goes into the ground from 6 September to about 19 October; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Saskatoon OpenStreetMap lists 7 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery, 2 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Saskatoon?

In Saskatoon, crocus: plant from 6 September to about 19 October. 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 Saskatoon?

Last spring frost around 15 May, first autumn frost around 6 October.

Other crops in Saskatoon, with their dates