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When to plant crocuses in Sheffield: 23 October – end of December

In Sheffield, crocus: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Firs Farm Shop (farm shop, 6 km) and Hangram Lane Farm Shop (farm shop, 6 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 Sheffield: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.7 °C.

Planting23 October – end of December
First autumn frost22 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:07 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:30

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

Crocus in Sheffield: 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 Sheffield the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 28 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 Sheffield, Manchester is 8 days earlier and Liverpool 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Leeds47 km24 October – end of December1 day later
Bradford49 km19 October – end of December4 days earlier
Manchester52 km15 October – end of December8 days earlier
Stoke-on-Trent61 km16 October – end of December7 days earlier
Hull85 km25 October – end of December2 days later
Liverpool100 km27 October – end of December4 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Sheffield

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Sheffield OpenStreetMap lists 23 garden centres, 2 plant nurseries, 11 markets and 8 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Sheffield?

In Sheffield, crocus: plant from 23 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 Sheffield?

Last spring frost around 15 April, first autumn frost around 22 November.

Other crops in Sheffield, with their dates