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When to plant crocuses in Toronto: 30 September – 25 November

In Toronto, crocus: plant from 30 September to about 25 November. For planting stock, the places nearby include Davenport Garden Center (garden centre, 3 km) and The Bee Shop (farm supply, 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 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 Toronto: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–March; the coldest, February, averages -7.9 °C.

Planting30 September – 25 November
First autumn frost30 October
Coldest nightsFebruary, -7.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring9 March
Daylight11:49 on 30 September
Daylight at the winter solstice8:56

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

Crocus in Toronto: 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 Toronto the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 27 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 Toronto, Kitchener is 4 days earlier and Erie 20 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Hamilton58 km8 October – 10 December8 days later
Buffalo94 km11 October – 6 December11 days later
Kitchener94 km26 September – 21 November4 days earlier
Rochester153 km13 October – 14 December13 days later
Erie178 km20 October – 22 December20 days later
Ithaca270 km9 October – 4 December9 days later

Where to buy crocus for planting in Toronto

Planting stock goes into the ground from 30 September to about 25 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Toronto OpenStreetMap lists 19 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 7 markets and 1 farm shop (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Toronto?

In Toronto, crocus: plant from 30 September to about 25 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 Toronto?

Last spring frost around 26 April, first autumn frost around 30 October.

Other crops in Toronto, with their dates