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Schedule planting in the fall 6-8 weeks before a hard frost is expected. Buy crocus bulbs from a garden center or nursery. Choose a planting location with at least 3-6 hours of direct sun. Select a planting location where the soil drains well.
Plan to plant your crocus bulbs when the ground is consistently below 60F (16C) in the fall. In North America, this is typically in September or October in the North, or in October or November in the South. Resources such as the Old Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service can help you pinpoint when the first hard frost is likely to come to your area. If desired, you can buy a soil thermometer online or at your local garden store. Purchase high-quality crocus bulbs from a reputable mail-order seed catalog, nursery, or local garden center. Bulbs purchased from non-garden specialty sources are more likely to be second-rate or not flower at all. Choose your favorite color of crocus to make your garden unique. While crocuses are often purple, there are actually many different varieties and shades. Consult a store associate to determine which variety of crocuses will best suit the aesthetics of your garden. Pick a location for your crocuses that gets full or partial sun. The ground in constant shade will be too cool for the bulbs to thrive. The dense shade on the north side of buildings is often a poor place to plant crocuses. Try the sunny east or west sides instead. Avoid planting locations where there is poor drainage or the ground is often soggy. This can cause your bulbs to rot instead of thriving. Test your soil to determine if the area you want to plant your crocuses drains well. Dig a hole 12 inches (30cm) to 18 inches (46cm) deep in the area you're considering planting your crocuses. Fill it with water. If the water drains from the hole in 10 minutes or less, you have good drainage. If the soil takes an hour or more to drain, the drainage is poor. It's difficult to change the natural drainage of the soil, as factors such as slope of the land and sun play a large role. Planting crocuses in pots outdoors can help you create a better drainage environment, if needed.