Saffron: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you start a saffron crocus crop?
Start saffron with correctly identified corms of Crocus sativus. This cultivated species is sterile and does not produce seeds, so seed sowing is not a suitable method. A corm is a swollen stem base; it is not a bulb in the botanical sense.
Check that the species is clearly identified. A mixed pack of ornamental crocuses does not replace saffron crocus. Colchicums, sometimes called autumn crocuses, are highly poisonous. Check delivered corms: they should be firm, without soft areas or signs of rot.
Plan installation for late summer, generally August or September according to climate and supplier guidance. Do not keep corms ready to grow until spring in the hope of a spring flower display. Saffron flowers in autumn, and its leaves continue developing afterwards.
Reserve a sunny position where water does not collect. Raised ground or a container with drainage holes may help if the soil drains poorly. Follow the planting calendar for depth and spacing. Small daughter corms may take time to reach flowering size, so their presence does not guarantee an immediate harvest. Keep the species label with the crop as its identity matters for later culinary use.
When and how do you plant saffron crocus?
When and how do you monitor saffron crocus flowering?
When and how do you harvest saffron stigmas?
