Here's how to force Hyacinths in both water and soil. Forcing hyacinths indoors in either water or soil is a wonderful way to bring a bit of spring into the home. Forcing is a technique that allows us to brings plants into bloom before they would normally bloom out in the garden.

To force hyacinths start by pre chilling your bulbs for 13 weeks. The crisper drawer of the refrigerator is an ideal place to chill your bulbs. Be sure not to have any fruit in the drawer because the ethylene gas that they omit with damage the embryotic flowers in the bulbs.

After the 13 weeks is up remove the bulbs and plant them in soil or water. For water, use a water tight vessel. Place pebbles at the bottom of the vessel, place your bulbs on the pebbles, surround the bulbs with more pebbles and then add water to the point where it is just barely touching the base of the bulb.

For soil, plant the bulbs in a pot with drainage holes. Add moistened potting soil, place your bulbs, and cover with approximately an inch of soil. Water.

For both methods, place the bulbs in a cool spot that receives indirect light. When the buds begin to show color, move them to a sunny location. Turn the planter every day or so to encourage upright growth.