When to plant crocuses in Zagreb: 23 October – end of December

In Zagreb, crocus: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Poljoapoteka (garden centre, 0 km) and Eurovrt (garden centre, 4 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 Zagreb: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December, January; the coldest, January, averages -1.9 °C.

Planting	23 October – end of December
First autumn frost	22 November
Coldest nights	January, -1.9 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Daylight	10:35 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	8:40

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

Crocus in Zagreb: 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 Zagreb the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 21 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 Zagreb, Klagenfurt is 59 days earlier and Trieste 6 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Graz	146 km	11 October – end of December	12 days earlier
Klagenfurt	157 km	25 August – 30 October	59 days earlier
Trieste	172 km	29 October – end of December	6 days later
Udine	214 km	23 October – end of December	same day
Vienna	269 km	13 October – 29 December	10 days earlier
Bratislava	274 km	17 October – end of December	6 days earlier

Where to buy crocus for planting in Zagreb

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Zagreb OpenStreetMap lists 7 garden centres, 8 farm-supply shops, 6 plant nurseries, 28 markets and 10 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

neretvanske mandarine — farm shop
4 km
OPG Markić — farm shop
5 km
OPG Polić — farm shop
6 km
OPG Pavelić — farm shop
15 km
Vrtni centar Flora — garden centre
Resnik IV. 30 · Mon–Sat 08:00–20:00 · 8 km · flora.com.hr
Poljoapoteka — garden centre
Pod zidom 12 · Mon–Fri 07:00–15:00; Sat 08:00–14:00 · 0 km
Eurovrt — garden centre
Ulica grada Gospića 3, 10000 Zagreb · 4 km
Vrtni centar Podsused — garden centre
Podsusedska aleja 12, 10090 Zagreb · 11 km

Questions