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When to plant daffodils in Cincinnati: 10 October – end of December

In Cincinnati, daffodil: plant from 10 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Tewes Farm (farm shop, 12 km) and McGlasson Farms (farm shop, 15 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 Cincinnati: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -3.9 °C.

Planting10 October – end of December
First autumn frost9 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -3.9 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring27 February
Daylight11:26 on 10 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:25

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

Daffodil in Cincinnati: 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, 10 October.

In Cincinnati the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 21 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 Cincinnati, Columbus is 7 days earlier and Louisville 2 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Frankfort108 km4 October – end of December6 days earlier
Lexington127 km8 October – end of December2 days earlier
Louisville146 km12 October – end of December2 days later
Indianapolis159 km7 October – 23 December3 days earlier
Columbus159 km3 October – 25 December7 days earlier
Fort Wayne223 km3 October – 10 December7 days earlier

Where to buy daffodil for planting in Cincinnati

Planting stock goes into the ground from 10 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Cincinnati OpenStreetMap lists 10 garden centres, 6 markets and 2 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in Cincinnati?

In Cincinnati, daffodil: plant from 10 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 Cincinnati?

Last spring frost around 11 April, first autumn frost around 9 November.

Other crops in Cincinnati, with their dates