Blog

Planting Timing

• Best months:  September
• Flowers appear in October–November, usually within 6–8 weeks of planting.
• Plant promptly after purchase — saffron corms do not like sitting around.

Soil Preparation & Drainage

• Requires well-drained, sandy or gritty soil.
• Raised beds or pots are ideal in damp Irish gardens.
• Work in a little lime if soil is acidic — saffron prefers neutral to slightly alkaline ground.

Depths & Spacing

• Depth: 10–15cm deep
• Spacing: 10–12cm apart
• Plant in groups of 15–20 corms for a usable harvest.
• In pots: use a free-draining mix (2 parts compost, 1 part grit/sand).

Variety & Flowering

• Only Crocus sativus produces saffron threads.
• Blooms are lilac-purple with three vivid red stigmas — these are harvested as saffron.
• Flowers last only a few days, so daily checking is essential.

Harvesting & Cooking Value

• Each flower produces 3 stigmas.
• Harvest by hand early in the morning as blooms open.
• Dry stigmas on paper in a warm, dry room for several days.
• Store in a dark, airtight container — flavour deepens after 1–2 months.
• It takes about 150 flowers to yield 1 gram of saffron, which explains its reputation as the world’s most expensive spice.

Cooking uses:

• Adds golden colour and unique aroma to paella, risotto, bouillabaisse, and Persian rice dishes.
• Infuse threads in warm water or milk before adding to recipes to release maximum flavour and colour.
• Nothing beats the flavour of your own fresh harvested spice .

Naturalising Tips

• Prefers sunny, sheltered spots.
• Good for containers that can be kept drier in summer.
• In the ground, plant in sandy ridges or raised beds.
• Corms multiply each year if kept relatively dry in summer dormancy.

Pests & Problems

• Rodents: Mice and squirrels may dig up corms — use wire mesh protection if needed.
• Wet winters: Biggest risk — ensure very sharp drainage.
• Low yields: Normal in the first year; improve with feeding after flowering.

After-Care

• Allow foliage to grow over winter — it fuels the corms for next season.
• Feed lightly with potash-rich fertiliser after flowering.
• In pots: lift, dry and replant corms every 3–4 years.
• In beds: divide and replant crowded clumps in late summer.

This week’s action:

• Plant saffron corms in a sunny, free-draining spot by mid-September.
• Harvest red stigmas as blooms open in October–November.
• Dry and store threads to enjoy your own homegrown saffron in the kitchen this winter.