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When to plant crocuses in Smolensk: 12 September – 8 November

In Smolensk, crocus: plant from 12 September to about 8 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.

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 Smolensk: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–March; the coldest, January, averages -7.6 °C.

Planting12 September – 8 November
First autumn frost12 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -7.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring25 March
Daylight13:01 on 12 September
Daylight at the winter solstice7:13

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

Crocus in Smolensk: 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 Smolensk 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 Smolensk, Orsha is 1 day earlier and Bryansk 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Orsha110 km11 September – 13 November1 day earlier
Vitebsk127 km16 September – 14 November4 days later
Mogilev148 km17 September – 16 November5 days later
Bryansk224 km20 September – 11 November8 days later
Babruysk260 km20 September – 21 November8 days later
Gomel270 km17 September – 21 November5 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Smolensk

Planting stock goes into the ground from 12 September to about 8 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Smolensk OpenStreetMap lists 2 garden centres, 1 plant nursery, 8 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Smolensk?

In Smolensk, crocus: plant from 12 September to about 8 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 Smolensk?

Last spring frost around 4 May, first autumn frost around 12 October.

Other crops in Smolensk, with their dates