Crocuses are one of the earliest flowering bulbs, often popping up whilst there’s still a dusting of snow on the ground, but you have to plant the previous year to ensure that they will grow and flower come the new year. So if you are looking for some tips on how to plant crocus, read on, as I’ve got lots of information about how to grow crocus in your garden this year and for many years to come.
How To Plant Crocus
Crocus flowers are grown from bulbs, or corms, as they are officially known. They pop up towards the end of winter when everything else in the garden is looking particularly dormant. They can be a lifeline to the wildlife, as their early flowering means nectar to the hungry insects who may be emerging from their winter hibernation.
When To Plant Crocus Bulbs
If you are thinking about when you plant crocus bulbs or corms, the best time is between August and November. You may need to protect your bulbs from being snaffled by hungry squirrels, but apart from that, they should be fine over the cold winter.
How To Plant Crocus
You should choose a spot that is moist but drains well. You don’t want to pick a wet, boggy site. Otherwise, your bulbs might rot. Try and pick a site that is in full sun. Although saying that, I have a smattering of crocus which pops up at the end of winter underneath a tree. Perhaps it’s because there isn’t much in the way of foliage that time of year, so the crocus enjoys a bit more sunlight than they would later on in the year when the tree has more coverage on it. Some varieties can be grown in shadier spots though, so take a look around if you’d like to grow your crocus in a shady area.
When looking at how to plant crocus, you should plant them quite deeply, at a depth of three times their own size. They should be planted around 7.5cm away from each other. And when you are looking at planting your crocus bulbs, make sure you plant your crocus bulbs or corms with the pointed tip facing upwards, with the flattened end at the bottom.
They will happily grow in borders or grass. In fact, they look quite stunning popping out of the grass when winter starts to wane. You can easily slice back the top layer of your grass and pop in a few crocus bulbs. Once you’ve relayed the turf back over the top, the bulbs should do their magic and you’ll have wonderful delicate crocus flowers popping through the grass at the end of winter.
If you prefer though, you can grow crocus in pots as they will do well here though. Just make sure to check and water if they need it, as they will dry out in pots much more quickly if there is a dry spell.
As with most bulbs, it’s important to let the foliage die back completely after flowering. That will ensure that you get strong flowers from your bulbs year after year.
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