When to Plant Currants in Lincoln County, CO
Your May gardening checklist
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Lincoln County, Colorado.
Get ahead of June
- Transplants going out: currants
Currants are small, tart berries that grow on attractive shrubs in red, white, and black varieties. They are prized for jams, jellies, and liqueurs.
Lincoln County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.
At an elevation of 6,293 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 13.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°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.
Lincoln County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Lincoln County
How your county's soil matches Currants's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–8.3) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lincoln 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
Plant Water Budget
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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 0.9" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1.3" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 1.7" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.1" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 1.2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lincoln 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 Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, CO
Currants Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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
143 days in Lincoln County
Growing Tips for Currants in Lincoln County
Direct sow Currants outdoors after May 13 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 143.0-day growing season in Lincoln 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 →
Currants in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Currants in Lincoln County, CO?
Lincoln County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lincoln County, CO?
Lincoln County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 3.
Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln 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.