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When to Plant Currants in Crowley County, CO

Crowley County, Colorado Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Crowley County, Colorado

Your garden in Crowley County, Colorado is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost April 26
Avg. first frost October 9
Soil temp (4") 47°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Set out currants seedlings

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

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

Crowley County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 5,963 feet, Crowley County receives approximately 17.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, 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.

Crowley County, CO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9
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Crowley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 2

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.

Soil Compatibility in Crowley County

How your county's soil matches Currants's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.6) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Crowley County is excellent for Currants — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Currants.

How to Plant Currants

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 620 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Currants

Currants needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Currants Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 1.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.3" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.5" 2.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.3" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Crowley County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Currants Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Currants needs ~15,969 GDD — county provides 2,905 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline — Crowley County, CO

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Crowley County

Growing Tips for Currants in Crowley County

Direct sow Currants outdoors after April 26 in Crowley County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 166.0-day growing season in Crowley County is tight for Currants (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Currants in Crowley County, CO?

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

What planting zone is Crowley County, CO?

Crowley County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 9.

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Your Crowley County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Crowley County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Crowley County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.