Growing and harvesting saffron: The saffron bulbs(croms) can be planted in the summer and will flower in autumn around early November. It likes a well drained soil and a sunny place but otherwise is very unpretentious plant. The purple flowers are harvested by hand and then the stigmas carefully removed and dried in the sun for a few days or in a drying machine. If stored in a cool, dry place it can last 2-3 years. You only need to use a few stigmas when cooking and a small amount will last a long time. Some people also dry the flowers which are very aromatic and use for making tea or for decorating food particularly desserts.