When to plant crocuses in Timaru: by 5 May

In Timaru, crocus: plant by 5 May. The winter here is too mild for our late-planting rule, so we give no later limit.

Crocus in Timaru: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in July, average 2.4 °C.

Planting	by 5 May
First autumn frost	4 June
Coldest nights	July, 2.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of July
Daylight	9:58 on 5 May
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:50

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

Crocus in Timaru: 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 Timaru the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 18 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 Timaru, Queenstown is 15 days earlier and Nelson 17 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Christchurch	147 km	by 6 May	1 day later
Dunedin	175 km	22 April – end of June	13 days earlier
Queenstown	217 km	20 April – end of June	15 days earlier
Invercargill	318 km	by 9 May	4 days later
Nelson	384 km	by 22 May	17 days later
Blenheim	389 km	by 1 May	4 days earlier

Questions