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When to plant hyacinths in Washington, D.C.: 17 October – end of December

In Washington, D.C., hyacinth: plant from 17 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Grounded (garden centre, 7 km) and Norman's Farm Market (farm shop, 8 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 Washington, D.C.: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January; the coldest, January, averages -1.8 °C.

Planting17 October – end of December
First autumn frost16 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -1.8 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight11:09 on 17 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:26

The same dates in Washington, D.C. hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Crocus.

Hyacinth in Washington, D.C.: 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 Washington, D.C. the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 19 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 Washington, D.C., Allentown is 13 days earlier and Dover 10 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Annapolis47 km20 October – end of December3 days later
Baltimore56 km23 October – end of December6 days later
Dover134 km27 October – end of December10 days later
Richmond156 kmby 17 Octobersame day
Philadelphia198 km12 October – end of December5 days earlier
Allentown230 km4 October – 30 December13 days earlier

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Washington, D.C.

Planting stock goes into the ground from 17 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Washington, D.C. OpenStreetMap lists 17 garden centres, 36 markets and 4 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Washington, D.C.?

In Washington, D.C., hyacinth: plant from 17 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 Washington, D.C.?

Last spring frost around 31 March, first autumn frost around 16 November.

Other crops in Washington, D.C., with their dates