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When to plant Currants in Jackson County County,

Jackson County County sits in cold Zone 4b. Plant Currants July 11–July 25 for the single annual harvest; the September 4 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Currants in Jackson County, CO

Jackson County, Colorado Zone 4b June

Jackson County, Colorado gardeners: here's your June plan

Here's what deserves your attention in Jackson County, Colorado this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 4b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost June 13
Avg. first frost September 4
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.9 hrs
July prep starts now
  • Transplants going out: currants

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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.

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 5,388 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Currants to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, CO (Zone 4b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Currants Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 23

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–8.1) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Currants.

How to Plant Currants

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Currants Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.5" 2.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.5" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Jackson 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 ~9,125 GDD — county provides 830 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline — Jackson County, CO

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors July 11 Jul 11 – Jul 25

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

83 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Currants in Jackson County

Direct sow Currants outdoors after June 13 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 83.0-day growing season in Jackson 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 Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 4.

When should I plant Currants in Jackson County, ?

In Jackson County, , plant Currants after the last frost (around June 13) and before the first frost (around September 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County, for Currants?

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Currants grows reliably in zones 3a through 7b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Currants grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Currants grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson County averages a 83-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 13 and first frost around September 4.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 4b). 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 Jackson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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