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When to plant hyacinths in Cologne: 21 October – end of December

In Cologne, hyacinth: plant from 21 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Dinger's Gartencenter (garden centre, 7 km) and Garten Müller (garden centre, 8 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 Cologne: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.2 °C.

Planting21 October – end of December
First autumn frost20 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.2 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:24 on 21 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:55

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

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

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

In Cologne 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 Cologne, Dortmund is 4 days earlier and Wiesbaden 3 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Düsseldorf35 km22 October – end of December1 day later
Duisburg56 km23 October – end of December2 days later
Dortmund73 km17 October – end of December4 days earlier
Liège104 km20 October – end of December1 day earlier
Hasselt114 km19 October – end of December2 days earlier
Wiesbaden132 km24 October – end of December3 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Cologne

Planting stock goes into the ground from 21 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Cologne OpenStreetMap lists 28 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 4 plant nurseries, 48 markets and 26 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Cologne?

In Cologne, hyacinth: plant from 21 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 Cologne?

Last spring frost around 6 April, first autumn frost around 20 November.

Other crops in Cologne, with their dates