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When to plant crocuses in Topeka: 29 September – 30 December

In Topeka, crocus: plant from 29 September to about 30 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Murphy Tractor & Equipment (farm shop, 6 km) and LDI - Topeka (farm supply, 7 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 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 Topeka: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -4.9 °C.

Planting29 September – 30 December
First autumn frost29 October
Coldest nightsJanuary, -4.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring13 January
Daylight11:54 on 29 September
Daylight at the winter solstice9:25

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

Crocus in Topeka: 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 Topeka 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 Topeka, Omaha is 3 days earlier and Kansas City 3 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Kansas City97 km2 October – end of December3 days later
Wichita207 km30 September – end of December1 day later
Lincoln215 km28 September – 7 December1 day earlier
Joplin241 km2 October – end of December3 days later
Omaha249 km26 September – 30 November3 days earlier
Grand Island309 km27 September – 1 December2 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Topeka

Planting stock goes into the ground from 29 September to about 30 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Topeka OpenStreetMap lists 2 farm-supply shops, 4 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Topeka?

In Topeka, crocus: plant from 29 September to about 30 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 Topeka?

Last spring frost around 9 April, first autumn frost around 29 October.

Other crops in Topeka, with their dates