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When to plant hyacinths in Belfast: 20 October – end of December

In Belfast, hyacinth: plant from 20 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.

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 Belfast: soil, season and weather

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

Planting20 October – end of December
First autumn frost19 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:14 on 20 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:15

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

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

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

In Belfast the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 29 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 Belfast, Glasgow is 8 days earlier and Letterkenny 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Dundalk73 km21 October – end of December1 day later
Letterkenny122 km29 October – end of December9 days later
Dublin141 km25 October – end of December5 days later
Sligo168 km22 October – end of December2 days later
Glasgow176 km12 October – end of December8 days earlier
Athlone186 km27 October – end of December7 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Belfast

Planting stock goes into the ground from 20 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Belfast OpenStreetMap lists 14 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 3 markets and 3 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Belfast?

In Belfast, hyacinth: plant from 20 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 Belfast?

Last spring frost around 18 April, first autumn frost around 19 November.

Other crops in Belfast, with their dates