Choose a dry climate with cool autumns, mild winters, and hot, dry summers
Select well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH
Avoid heavy clay soil and waterlogged areas
Prepare the soil by removing weeds and loosening it deeply
Add well-rotted compost if needed, but avoid excess nitrogen
Obtain healthy saffron corms from a reliable source
Plant corms in late summer or early autumn
Place corms 10 to 15 cm deep
Space corms about 10 to 15 cm apart
Plant in rows with enough room for air circulation and maintenance
Water lightly after planting
Keep soil moist during establishment, but never soggy
Reduce watering during dormancy in summer
Remove weeds regularly
Apply mulch lightly if needed to suppress weeds and conserve moisture
Protect corms from rodents and other pests
Watch for fungal diseases and avoid overwatering
Harvest flowers in the morning when they open
Pick the red stigmas carefully from each flower
Dry the stigmas promptly in a clean, low-heat environment
Store dried saffron in an airtight container away from light and moisture
Allow corms to multiply in place for future harvests
Lift and divide corms every few years if overcrowding occurs
Replant healthy corms after division
Rotate planting areas if disease becomes a problem