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When to plant daffodils in Zurich: 17 October – end of December

In Zurich, daffodil: plant from 17 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Beckimarkt (farm shop, 5 km) and Bayer's Gmüeslädeli (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 Zurich: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -2.1 °C.

Planting17 October – end of December
First autumn frost16 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -2.1 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring21 March
Daylight10:50 on 17 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:27

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

Daffodil in Zurich: 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, 17 October.

In Zurich the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 26 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 Zurich, Lucerne is 27 days earlier and Neuchâtel 12 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Lucerne41 km20 September – 29 November27 days earlier
St. Gallen63 km19 October – end of December2 days later
Bern95 km4 October – 21 December13 days earlier
Mulhouse100 km18 October – end of December1 day later
Fribourg123 km7 October – 30 December10 days earlier
Neuchâtel129 km29 October – end of December12 days later

Where to buy daffodil for planting in Zurich

Planting stock goes into the ground from 17 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Zurich OpenStreetMap lists 33 garden centres, 9 plant nurseries, 14 markets and 105 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in Zurich?

In Zurich, daffodil: plant from 17 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 Zurich?

Last spring frost around 14 April, first autumn frost around 16 November.

Other crops in Zurich, with their dates