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When to plant crocuses in Vancouver: 18 October – end of December

In Vancouver, crocus: plant from 18 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Bricks n Blocks (garden centre, 4 km) and Groundworks Construction Supply (garden centre, 6 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 Vancouver: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in February, average 0.4 °C.

Planting18 October – end of December
First autumn frost17 November
Coldest nightsFebruary, 0.4 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:41 on 18 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:11

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

Crocus in Vancouver: 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 Vancouver the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 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 Vancouver, Spokane is 33 days earlier and Victoria 34 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Victoria96 km21 November – end of December34 days later
Seattle195 km25 October – end of December7 days later
Olympia250 km16 October – end of December2 days earlier
Kelowna270 km1 October – 27 November17 days earlier
Portland419 km23 October – end of December5 days later
Spokane456 km15 September – 23 November33 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Vancouver

Planting stock goes into the ground from 18 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Vancouver OpenStreetMap lists 28 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 5 plant nurseries, 18 markets and 4 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant crocuses in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, crocus: plant from 18 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 Vancouver?

Last spring frost around 27 March, first autumn frost around 17 November.

Other crops in Vancouver, with their dates