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When to plant hyacinths in Zurich: 17 October – end of December

In Zurich, hyacinth: plant from 17 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Von Euw Eier AG (farm shop, 11 km) and Bachofen Obstbau (farm shop, 11 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 Zurich: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -2.1 °C.

Planting17 October – end of December
First autumn frost16 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -2.1 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in springalready in the first week of January
Daylight10:50 on 17 October
Daylight at the winter solstice8:27

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

Hyacinth in Zurich: 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 Zurich 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 Zurich, Lucerne is 27 days earlier and Neuchâtel 12 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Lucerne41 km20 September – 29 November27 days earlier
St. Gallen63 km19 October – end of December2 days later
Bern95 km4 October – 21 December13 days earlier
Mulhouse100 km18 October – end of December1 day later
Fribourg123 km7 October – 30 December10 days earlier
Neuchâtel129 km29 October – end of December12 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Zurich

Planting stock goes into the ground from 17 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Zurich OpenStreetMap lists 33 garden centres, 9 plant nurseries, 14 markets and 105 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant hyacinths in Zurich?

In Zurich, 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 Zurich?

Last spring frost around 14 April, first autumn frost around 16 November.

Other crops in Zurich, with their dates