When to Plant Saffron in Zone 4
In USDA zone 4a, plant outdoors August 2 to September 21, and expect your first harvest around September 21. Zone 4 also has a fall planting window opening around August 2. (4a shown here — see 4a and 4b dates separately below.)
Saffron planting calendar for USDA Zone 4a
Average last spring frost
May 15
Average first fall frost
September 20
Direct sow
Aug 2
Projected first harvest
Sep 21
Saffron needs about 50 days to mature — longer than zone 4atypically stays frost-free, so it likely won't reliably ripen there outdoors without a head start indoors or season extension.
Saffron planting calendar for USDA Zone 4b
Average last spring frost
May 10
Average first fall frost
September 25
Direct sow
Aug 7
Projected first harvest
Sep 26
Saffron needs about 50 days to mature — longer than zone 4btypically stays frost-free, so it likely won't reliably ripen there outdoors without a head start indoors or season extension.
Not sure whether you're in 4a or 4b? Set your ZIP in HomeSown for dates tuned to your exact location.
Varieties to grow
1 variety of saffron in the HomeSown library. Tap any for its full grow guide.
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