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When to plant daffodils in Philadelphia: 12 October – end of December

In Philadelphia, daffodil: plant from 12 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Greensgrow Farms (garden centre, 5 km) and Safa Plant Co. (garden centre, 9 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 Philadelphia: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -2.5 °C.

Planting12 October – end of December
First autumn frost11 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -2.5 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring6 March
Daylight11:20 on 12 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:20

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

Daffodil in Philadelphia: 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, 12 October.

In Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, Allentown is 8 days earlier and Dover 15 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Trenton45 km13 October – end of December1 day later
Allentown77 km4 October – 30 December8 days earlier
Atlantic City92 km23 October – end of December11 days later
Dover93 km27 October – end of December15 days later
New York130 km21 October – end of December9 days later
Baltimore144 km23 October – end of December11 days later

Where to buy daffodil for planting in Philadelphia

Planting stock goes into the ground from 12 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Philadelphia OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 84 markets and 20 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, daffodil: plant from 12 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 Philadelphia?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 11 November.

Other crops in Philadelphia, with their dates