Greenly Garden

When to plant hyacinths in Magdeburg: 19 October – end of December

In Magdeburg, hyacinth: plant from 19 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Pflanzen und Floristikmarkt Hinz (garden centre, 2 km) and Dehner (garden centre, 4 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 Magdeburg: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -0.3 °C.

Planting19 October – end of December
First autumn frost18 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -0.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:28 on 19 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:43

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

Hyacinth in Magdeburg: 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 Magdeburg 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 Magdeburg, Erfurt is 11 days earlier and Potsdam 3 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Leipzig102 km18 October – end of December1 day earlier
Potsdam102 km22 October – end of December3 days later
Berlin129 km20 October – end of December1 day later
Hanover132 km22 October – end of December3 days later
Erfurt134 km8 October – end of December11 days earlier
Dresden189 km19 October – end of Decembersame day

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Magdeburg

Planting stock goes into the ground from 19 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Magdeburg OpenStreetMap lists 6 garden centres, 4 farm-supply shops, 6 plant nurseries, 1 market and 8 farm shops (collected 28 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Magdeburg?

In Magdeburg, hyacinth: plant from 19 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 Magdeburg?

Last spring frost around 5 April, first autumn frost around 18 November.

Other crops in Magdeburg, with their dates