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When to plant hyacinths in Glasgow: 12 October – end of December

In Glasgow, hyacinth: plant from 12 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 Glasgow: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.7 °C.

Planting12 October – end of December
First autumn frost11 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.7 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:45 on 12 October
Daylight at the winter solstice6:59

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

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

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

In Glasgow 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 Glasgow, Edinburgh is 2 days earlier and Newcastle upon Tyne 9 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Edinburgh67 km10 October – end of December2 days earlier
Dundee104 km13 October – end of December1 day later
Carlisle136 km16 October – end of December4 days later
Belfast176 km20 October – end of December8 days later
Inverness180 km14 October – end of December2 days later
Newcastle upon Tyne193 km21 October – end of December9 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Glasgow

Planting stock goes into the ground from 12 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Glasgow OpenStreetMap lists 13 garden centres, 1 plant nursery and 9 markets (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Glasgow?

In Glasgow, hyacinth: plant from 12 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 Glasgow?

Last spring frost around 28 April, first autumn frost around 11 November.

Other crops in Glasgow, with their dates