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When to Plant Currants in Ferry County, WA

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

Ferry County, Washington is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 3,990 feet, Ferry County receives approximately 18.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Currants to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Currants successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Ferry County, WA (Zone 5b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Ferry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 19

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 905 gal / 100 sq ft
Currants needs ~11,862 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline โ€” Ferry County, WA

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 14

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

137 days

Growing Tips for Ferry 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 Ferry County, WA?

Ferry County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ferry County, WA?

Ferry County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ferry County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Ferry County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.