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When to Plant Currants in Owyhee County, ID

Currants are small, tart berries that grow on attractive shrubs in red, white, and black varieties. They are prized for jams, jellies, and liqueurs.

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 103 days.

At an elevation of 4,621 feet, Owyhee County receives approximately 18.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Currants during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Currants successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Owyhee County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
103 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
103 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Owyhee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 10

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 288 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Currants needs ~15,969 GDD — county provides 1,802 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline โ€” Owyhee County, ID

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Jul 14

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

103 days

Growing Tips for Owyhee County

Plant in a sheltered location with morning sun. Prune out wood older than 3 years to encourage new fruiting wood. Mulch heavily to keep roots cool and moist.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Currants in Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Owyhee County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Owyhee County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.