DIY Saffron

January 6, 2006 10:24 AM

What's the best time of the year to buy and plant Saffron Crocus bulbs?
posted by djacobs to food & drink (5 comments total)

Short answer: in summer.

White Flower Farm's: Growing and Harvesting Saffron Crocus

Colorado State's Bulbs: fall flowering crocus
posted by tangerine at 10:48 AM on January 6, 2006

A search on google turned up this link.

"We start shipping Saffron bulbs in early September. Bulbs
planted later in the fall will produce leaves in the spring and flowers the
following fall."
posted by Sallysings at 10:50 AM on January 6, 2006

It's frustrating to find that Saffon Crocus shoul be planted in Autumn, Summer, and Spring -- if you believe all that you find through google.

According to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website -- your profile indicates you're in Brooklyn -- you plant them in Spring and flowers appear in October.
posted by wryly at 11:00 AM on January 6, 2006

"It's frustrating to find that Saffon Crocus shoul be planted in Autumn, Summer, and Spring -- if you believe all that you find through google."

This is exactly what was going through my head. Thanks for the BBG link.

Has anyone planted these bulbs in a "4 seasons" environment? Do they need to brought in for the winter, like Dahlias or Elephant Ears? Should I buy them now and keep them in the fridge or wait until April?
posted by djacobs at 11:50 AM on January 6, 2006

I've only seen them for sale here in New England in the fall for planting in the fall. And they're hardy here, which is roughly a zone colder than Brooklyn, but require extremely good drainage to make it through the winter or they rot in the ground (it's the standing water in winter/spring that kills a lot of borderline hardy plants). If you can find an appropriate spot (on a slope is best for winter drainage) you can leave them in the ground. They aren't tropicals like Elephant Ears which need to be wintered indoors.
posted by TimeFactor at 1:41 PM on January 6, 2006