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When to plant daffodils in Exeter: 28 October – end of December

In Exeter, daffodil: plant from 28 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Barton Place Farm Shop (farm shop, 3 km) and Martinsfield Farm Shop (farm shop, 6 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 Exeter: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.3 °C.

Planting28 October – end of December
First autumn frost27 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring26 January
Daylight10:00 on 28 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:58

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

Daffodil in Exeter: 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, 28 October.

In Exeter 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 Exeter, Coventry is 10 days earlier and Swansea 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Swansea104 kmby 1 November4 days later
Bristol104 km23 October – end of December5 days earlier
Birmingham227 km20 October – end of December8 days earlier
Coventry234 km18 October – end of December10 days earlier
Brighton239 kmby 1 November4 days later
London253 km24 October – end of December4 days earlier

Where to buy daffodil for planting in Exeter

Planting stock goes into the ground from 28 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Exeter OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery, 2 markets and 13 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in Exeter?

In Exeter, daffodil: plant from 28 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 Exeter?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 27 November.

Other crops in Exeter, with their dates