Blog

When to Plant Currants in Rockingham County, NH

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

Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 444 feet, Rockingham County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Currants to ensure they mature before fall.

Rockingham County, NH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Rockingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 3

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Currants needs ~11,178 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline โ€” Rockingham County, NH

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Rockingham 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 Rockingham County, NH?

Rockingham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rockingham County, NH?

Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rockingham County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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