Saffron is a delicious and unique spice that gives a particular taste to many dishes, such as paella and bouillabaisse. It is obtained from the crocus flower, a plant that is easy to grow in hardiness zones between 6 and 9. Unfortunately, each crocus flower produces a very small amount of saffron per year, which is why this spice is the most expensive in the world.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating the Right Conditions for Growing the Plant
Step 1. Purchase crocus bulbs
The saffron plant with its typical purple flowers develops from the bulb of the crocus; these bulbs should be purchased fresh, just before planting. You can order them online or buy them at a local greenhouse.
- Crocus bulbs grow best in hardiness zones between 6 and 9.
- In these areas, you will have a better chance of finding bulbs at local greenhouses.
Step 2. Find a place to plant the plant where the soil is draining and is fully exposed to sunlight
Choose a portion of soil that receives a good amount of sunlight and dig it up to make sure it is neither too hard nor too compressed. Crocus bulbs could die if they soak in water, so they need well-draining soil.
You may want to loosen the soil before planting the bulbs to soften it
Step 3. Prepare the soil with organic material
Loosen the area where you want to plant the bulbs and add some organic material 10 inches deep. You can use compost, peat or bits of leaves: they will provide the right nutrients to allow the crocus bulbs to survive the winter.
Step 4. Alternatively plant the bulbs in containers
If rodents or other pests are a frequent problem in your garden, planting the bulbs in some containers could be a great option. You will need large containers made of plastic, non-woven fabric (TNT), electrical tape, and soil.
- Be sure to choose a container that has drainage holes or add them yourself if they are not present.
- Cover the plastic containers with the non-woven fabric and secure it with adhesive tape.
- Fill the containers with 6 inches of potting soil.
Step 5. Plant the bulbs before the ground freezes
For best results you should plant them 6-8 weeks before the first frost of the season: depending on the climate (and the hemisphere you are in) it could be between October and November.
Consult a schedule or ask local gardeners if you need help determining what the frost period might be in your region
Part 2 of 3: Plant the Bulbs
Step 1. Group them
The flowers will grow best if you plant the bulbs in groups, rather than in rows. Plant them approximately 7-8 cm apart and in groups of 10-12.
If you are using containers, each should contain a group of 10-12 bulbs
Step 2. Plant the bulbs 7-10cm deep
Use a garden shovel to dig small holes of this size and place a bulb in each with the pointed end facing up, then cover it with soil.
If you are using containers, place the bulb on top of the soil you have already added to the container, then cover it with another 2 inches of potting soil
Step 3. Water the bulbs during the fall
It is the growing season for crocus bulbs; during this period it is important to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Start by watering the bulbs 1-2 times a week.
- Insert two fingers into the soil to feel the moisture several times a week.
- If there is standing water for more than a day after watering them, start reducing the frequency to once a week.
- If the soil is completely dry (not wet) within a day, start increasing the frequency to 3 times a week.
Step 4. Apply fertilizer once during each season
If you live in an area with short, warm springs, apply fertilizer in early fall; if the springs are long and mild, apply it immediately after flowering. This will help provide the bulbs with a reserve of carbohydrates that will help them survive the rest of the year.
Bone meal, compost, or aged manure are great fertilizer variants
Part 3 of 3: Collecting Saffron
Step 1. Be patient
Crocus flowers are easy to grow - they are naturally robust and resistant to insects and disease. The problem is that each bulb produces a single flower and each flower produces only 3 stigmas of saffron: at the end of the harvest you will end up with only a small amount of this spice.
- Although crocus flowers are expected to bloom 6-8 weeks after planting the bulbs, it can happen that they do not bloom until the following fall, which is a year later.
- In some cases, if you plant the bulbs in the spring you can get the flowers in the fall.
Step 2. Remove the stigmas from the flowers
In the center of each flower you should see 3 orange-red stigmas - wait until the first sunny day when the flowers are fully open and gently remove the stigmas from each using your fingers.
Step 3. Dry and store the saffron
Once you have gently removed all the stigmas, spread them out on kitchen paper in a warm, dry place, leaving them like this for 1-3 days until completely dry.
- Dried saffron should be stored in a cool, dry place.
- You can store it in an airtight container for 5 years.
Step 4. Use saffron in recipes
When you're ready to use, steep the dried stigmas in a boiling liquid (milk, water, or broth) for 15-20 minutes, finally adding both the liquid and the stigmas to your recipe. Saffron can be used with rice, soups, sauces, potatoes, baked foods and other dishes.
