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When to plant daffodils in Cambridge: 25 October – end of December

In Cambridge, daffodil: plant from 25 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Cam Home and Garden (garden centre, 2 km) and Oakington Garden Centre (garden centre, 7 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Daffodil in Cambridge: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.7 °C.

Planting25 October – end of December
First autumn frost24 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.7 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring13 February
Daylight10:04 on 25 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:43

The same dates in Cambridge hold for Garlic, Tulip, Crocus and Hyacinth.

Daffodil in Cambridge: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant daffodils three times the bulb’s height deep (RHS): about 13–15 cm for large bulbs, 15–20 cm apart (University of Georgia Extension). The RHS advises planting them early in autumn, ideally in September in the UK, so do not leave them late: aim for the start of the window, 25 October.

In Cambridge the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 15–17 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Daffodils are long-lived: clumps slowly expand over the years (RHS). Leave the leaves for at least eight weeks after flowering — they feed next year’s flowers (University of Georgia Extension).

Squirrels avoid daffodils, so they can be planted among tulips to reduce losses (RHS). Daffodils are toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the bulbs are the most poisonous part, and a large amount can cause convulsions and heart rhythm problems (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, University of Georgia Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Daffodil in nearby cities

Around Cambridge, Coventry is 7 days earlier and Brighton 7 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Ipswich73 km30 October – end of December5 days later
London79 km24 October – end of December1 day earlier
Norwich93 km29 October – end of December4 days later
Coventry113 km18 October – end of December7 days earlier
Birmingham140 km20 October – end of December5 days earlier
Brighton153 kmby 1 November7 days later

Where to buy daffodil for planting in Cambridge

Planting stock goes into the ground from 25 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Cambridge OpenStreetMap lists 11 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 2 markets and 7 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in Cambridge?

In Cambridge, daffodil: plant from 25 October to the end of December. Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

When is the last spring frost in Cambridge?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 24 November.

Other crops in Cambridge, with their dates