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When to plant hyacinths in Exeter: 28 October – end of December

In Exeter, hyacinth: plant from 28 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 Exeter: soil, season and weather

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

Planting28 October – end of December
First autumn frost27 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 2.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:00 on 28 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:58

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

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

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

In Exeter the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 25 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 Exeter, Coventry is 10 days earlier and Swansea 4 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Swansea104 kmby 1 November4 days later
Bristol104 km23 October – end of December5 days earlier
Birmingham227 km20 October – end of December8 days earlier
Coventry234 km18 October – end of December10 days earlier
Brighton239 kmby 1 November4 days later
London253 km24 October – end of December4 days earlier

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Exeter

Planting stock goes into the ground from 28 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Exeter OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 1 plant nursery, 2 markets and 13 farm shops (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Exeter?

In Exeter, hyacinth: plant from 28 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 Exeter?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 27 November.

Other crops in Exeter, with their dates