Newbie needs help: Crocus

Hello everyone,
I have never tried planting bulbs, so I need advice!

I just bought Crocus bulbs. The package said that fall is the ideal time to plants this. I am planning to plant them on containers. What I'm wondering is, if they actually sprout, will they survive the winter? Is fall really a better time than spring? Or even, will they sprout before winter, or will they wait until spring?

Thank you in advance for any info that you can provide!

Fall is indeed the best planting time for Crocus. They require a winter chill to set blooms, and will bloom in late winter-early spring after the required cold period. They're very winter hardy, but I have had some issues with other spring bulbs in containers overwintered outdoors. Since containers are above ground, they don't have the insulation of bulbs planted in ground, so you may want to offer them some protection (set pots on the ground near the foundation of the house and cover with mulch, or perhaps bury the pot, or even keep the container in the fridge till spring). Crocus are among the toughest of spring bulbs, so this may not be necessary, but better safe than sorry. Once planted, they'll break dormancy and start growing roots, and once the root system is formed, they're ready to face the winter cold. You may see sprouts emerging during winter, but that's normal and they'll endure cold just fine and bloom at the proper time.

Yes, listen to Gem! Be sure to give your pots of spring bulbs some protection from freezing. I keep mine in an unheated (but it stays above freezing temps) garage for the winter. I have also wrapped the bulbs pots in plastic sheeting and piled big piles of leaves on them under our deck. If they freeze before they have formed a root system they will go to 'mush' and be ruined. Bulbs in containers are a little tricky, but it's fun to try and they are such a welcome addition to the spring garden. (and I plant them in pots for protection from the squirrels and voles who love to eat the bulbs).

(also I am also wondering if you are planting the bulbs in containers because you want them to bloom indoors? Often times crocus are 'forced' in containers for midwinter bloom indoors, in which case you will want to cool the bulbs in a refrigerator for 3 months or so and then bring them out and pot them up and set them on a sunny window sill until they bloom. If you google you can find lots of detailed info on how to do this.)

Thank you very much for all the advice!! That's very helpful!

And since the weather has been cooling off a bit now, can I plant them now?

Tabasco, I plant them in containers only because I don't like to dig the dirt outside. Worms scare the heck out of me! lol So it's still gonna be outdoor plants.

The growers recommend you wait until the soil is 50 degrees or less. More like October in 6a.

Got it! I'll wait until October then. Thank you very much, all!

May I piggy-back off this thread? I just posted in the Georgia regional forum but should have checked here first. I had asked if I could plant spring bulbs I bought today, but I'm in 7b so we won't hit 50 degrees for another month too.

What should I do with the bulbs in the meantime? Refrigerate them? Pot them up and keep them in my basement for a month? Return them? LOL

Just keep them in a dry, dark place, they should be fine for a month or so. If you have to wait longer, then just keep them in the fridg till you can get them planted (with no fruit in the fridg with them-fruits release ethylene gas that can stimulate premature sprouting).

Thanks so much -- and wow, thank you especially for the tip about fruit!! I had no idea!! THANKS!!!