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When to plant hyacinths in Amsterdam: 22 October – end of December

In Amsterdam, hyacinth: plant from 22 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Tuinbrocante Marie-Marie (garden centre, 4 km) and Bomenhub Amsterdamse Bos (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.

Hyacinth in Amsterdam: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2 °C.

Planting22 October – end of December
First autumn frost21 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:15 on 22 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:41

The same dates in Amsterdam hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Crocus.

Hyacinth in Amsterdam: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant hyacinths 10 cm deep, at least 7.5 cm apart (RHS).

In Amsterdam the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 12–15 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Flowers get smaller in the years after planting: for full spikes, replace the bulbs or add a few new ones each autumn (RHS).

If squirrels are a problem, protect the bulbs with wire mesh (RHS). Hyacinths are toxic to dogs, cats and horses: intense vomiting and diarrhoea (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Hyacinth in nearby cities

Around Amsterdam, Hasselt is 3 days earlier and Bruges 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Hasselt163 km19 October – end of December3 days earlier
Duisburg165 km23 October – end of December1 day later
Ghent168 km25 October – end of December3 days later
Bruges173 km31 October – end of December9 days later
Brussels173 km23 October – end of December1 day later
Düsseldorf181 km22 October – end of Decembersame day

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Amsterdam

Planting stock goes into the ground from 22 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Amsterdam OpenStreetMap lists 26 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 3 plant nurseries, 23 markets and 9 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Amsterdam?

In Amsterdam, hyacinth: plant from 22 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 Amsterdam?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 21 November.

Other crops in Amsterdam, with their dates