You can grow saffron at home, we tell you how
What's the story
Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is delicately hand-harvested from the beautiful saffron crocus flower, Crocus sativus.
Growing this elegant flower requires specific conditions and a bit of tender loving care.
This article reveals five essential tips for successfully growing saffron crocuses.
By following these tips, gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest of this precious golden spice, adding a touch of luxury to both their gardens and spice cabinets.
Site selection
Selecting the right planting site
Saffron crocuses prefer full sun to partial shade.
Select a planting site that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Well-drained soil is crucial to avoid bulb rot.
If your garden soil is heavy or clay, amend it with sand or plant in raised beds to ensure proper drainage.
Planting essentials
Planting time and technique
The optimal time to plant saffron crocus bulbs is late summer to early fall. This gives the bulbs a chance to get established before winter arrives.
Plant the bulbs four inches deep and four inches apart in well-drained soil. Make sure the pointed end is facing upwards.
After planting, water well to help settle the soil around the bulbs.
Irrigation insights
Watering wisely
Saffron crocuses need regular watering throughout their active growth period in the fall but they can't stand wet feet.
You should aim to keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
After they have flowered and the foliage starts to yellow and die back, cut back on watering. The corms go dormant over the summer, and that's your cue to reduce watering.
Nutrient needs
Fertilizing for success
Although saffron crocuses aren't particularly demanding in terms of nutrition, a balanced fertilizer can significantly enhance both growth and flowering.
Experts recommend applying a low-nitrogen or bulb-specific fertilizer at planting time and then again in early spring when shoots emerge.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as they encourage leaf growth over flower production, which is counterproductive for saffron cultivation.
Harvest hints
Harvesting your saffron
The harvest time for saffron is crucial - it needs to be collected when the flowers are fully open but before they start to wilt, usually in mid-autumn.
Each flower will yield three red stigmas i.e. the saffron threads.
Gently pick these stigmas from each flower using tweezers or your fingers early in the morning after the dew has dried but before the full sun, which can reduce the quality.