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

In New York, 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.

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 New York: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -2.8 °C.

Planting21 October – end of December
First autumn frost20 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -2.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:55 on 21 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:15

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

Hyacinth in New York: 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 New York the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 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 New York, Allentown is 17 days earlier and Dover 6 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Trenton84 km13 October – end of December8 days earlier
New Haven113 km13 October – end of December8 days earlier
Allentown125 km4 October – 30 December17 days earlier
Philadelphia130 km12 October – end of December9 days earlier
Atlantic City154 km23 October – end of December2 days later
Dover215 km27 October – end of December6 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in New York

Planting stock goes into the ground from 21 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of New York OpenStreetMap lists 31 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 2 plant nurseries, 47 markets and 7 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in New York?

In New York, 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 New York?

Last spring frost around 3 April, first autumn frost around 20 November.

Other crops in New York, with their dates