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When to plant crocuses in Seattle: 25 October – end of December

In Seattle, crocus: plant from 25 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.

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 Seattle: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in February, average 1.3 °C.

Planting25 October – end of December
First autumn frost24 November
Coldest nightsFebruary, 1.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:23 on 25 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:25

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

Crocus in Seattle: 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 Seattle 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 Seattle, Kelowna is 24 days earlier and Victoria 27 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Olympia77 km16 October – end of December9 days earlier
Victoria120 km21 November – end of December27 days later
Vancouver195 km18 October – end of December7 days earlier
Portland234 km23 October – end of December2 days earlier
Salem302 km18 October – end of December7 days earlier
Kelowna327 km1 October – 27 November24 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Seattle

Planting stock goes into the ground from 25 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Seattle OpenStreetMap lists 18 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 2 plant nurseries, 13 markets and 4 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Seattle?

In Seattle, crocus: plant from 25 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 Seattle?

Last spring frost around 20 March, first autumn frost around 24 November.

Other crops in Seattle, with their dates