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When to plant hyacinths in Geneva: 18 October – end of December

In Geneva, hyacinth: plant from 18 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Farmer's Market of Bude (farm shop, 3 km) and La Fraisière (farm shop, 5 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 Geneva: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -1.7 °C.

Planting18 October – end of December
First autumn frost17 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -1.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:49 on 18 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:37

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

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

Plant hyacinths 10 cm deep, at least 7.5 cm apart (RHS). In the ground hyacinths are fully hardy, but in containers they can be frost tender in cold winters (RHS); here winter nights average below 0 °C, so wrap the pots or move them to a sheltered spot.

In Geneva 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 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 Geneva, Aosta is 68 days earlier and Neuchâtel 11 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Annecy32 km15 October – end of December3 days earlier
Sion94 km19 September – 19 November29 days earlier
Fribourg102 km7 October – 30 December11 days earlier
Aosta105 km11 August – 22 October68 days earlier
Neuchâtel107 km29 October – end of December11 days later
Lyon112 km26 October – end of December8 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Geneva

Planting stock goes into the ground from 18 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Geneva OpenStreetMap lists 16 garden centres, 2 farm-supply shops, 8 markets and 23 farm shops (collected 27 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Geneva?

In Geneva, hyacinth: plant from 18 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 Geneva?

Last spring frost around 10 April, first autumn frost around 17 November.

Other crops in Geneva, with their dates