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When to plant crocuses in St. Louis: 5 October – end of December

In St. Louis, crocus: plant from 5 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Flowers & Weeds (garden centre, 5 km) and Bowood Farms (garden centre, 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 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 St. Louis: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -3.6 °C.

Planting5 October – end of December
First autumn frost4 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -3.6 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:39 on 5 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:28

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

Crocus in St. Louis: 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 St. Louis the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 19 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 St. Louis, Davenport is 5 days earlier and Evansville 6 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Springfield139 km2 October – 22 December3 days earlier
Jefferson City172 km5 October – end of Decembersame day
Peoria235 km1 October – 9 December4 days earlier
Evansville242 km11 October – end of December6 days later
Davenport328 km30 September – 30 November5 days earlier
Indianapolis370 km7 October – 23 December2 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in St. Louis

Planting stock goes into the ground from 5 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of St. Louis OpenStreetMap lists 8 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 4 markets and 2 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in St. Louis?

In St. Louis, crocus: plant from 5 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 St. Louis?

Last spring frost around 6 April, first autumn frost around 4 November.

Other crops in St. Louis, with their dates