When to plant Crocus?

Plant crocus corms in September or October, while the soil is still warm enough to encourage root development before winter. Choose a spot in full sun or partial shade; crocuses are remarkably adaptable and will flower well in both, though full sun encourages the flowers to open most reliably on bright days. They thrive in free-draining soil—loam, sandy soil, or chalky soil all suit them—but will not tolerate waterlogging, which causes the corms to rot. Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil to a depth of about 10 cm and removing any weeds. If your soil is heavy clay, work in some horticultural grit or sharp sand to improve drainage. Plant the corms pointed end upwards at a depth of around 8 cm (roughly three times their own height). Space them about 8 cm apart; they look most effective planted in generous drifts or informal clusters rather than regimented rows, so consider planting groups of at least ten to fifteen corms together for impact. After planting, water lightly if the soil is dry, but autumn rain usually provides enough moisture. There's no need to mulch immediately after planting, though a light scattering of leaf mould in late autumn can help suppress weeds without smothering the emerging shoots in late winter. Crocuses naturalise readily in lawns and under deciduous trees, where they'll spread slowly over the years. If planting in grass, avoid mowing until at least six weeks after the flowers have faded, allowing the foliage to die back naturally and replenish the corms for next year's display.