When to plant crocuses in Vladikavkaz: 22 September – 23 November

In Vladikavkaz, crocus: plant from 22 September to about 23 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.

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 Vladikavkaz: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in November–March; the coldest, January, averages -7.3 °C.

Planting	22 September – 23 November
First autumn frost	22 October
Coldest nights	January, -7.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	8 February
Daylight	12:12 on 22 September
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:00

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

Crocus in Vladikavkaz: 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 Vladikavkaz the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 30 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 Vladikavkaz, Vanadzor is 27 days earlier and Kutaisi 59 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Nalchik	99 km	4 October – 19 December	12 days later
Tbilisi	147 km	16 October – end of December	24 days later
Kutaisi	182 km	20 November – end of December	59 days later
Makhachkala	230 km	10 November – end of December	49 days later
Vanadzor	248 km	26 August – 29 October	27 days earlier
Gyumri	259 km	20 September – 23 November	2 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Vladikavkaz

Planting stock goes into the ground from 22 September to about 23 November; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Vladikavkaz OpenStreetMap lists 1 garden centre, 11 markets and 2 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Questions