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When to Plant Currants in Teton County, ID

Teton County, Idaho Zone 4b April

April in Teton County, Idaho — your action list

April is a pivotal month for Teton County, Idaho gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 31
Avg. first frost September 11
Soil temp (4") 23°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.2 hrs

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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.

Teton County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 103 days.

At an elevation of 6,709 feet, Teton County receives approximately 15.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, 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.

Teton County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
103 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
103 growing days
First Fall Frost September 11
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Teton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 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.

Soil Compatibility in Teton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.4) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 203 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.1" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.5" 1.2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Teton 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 ~11,178 GDD — county provides 1,261 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline — Teton County, ID

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 12

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

103 days in Teton County

Growing Tips for Currants in Teton County

Direct sow Currants outdoors after May 31 in Teton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 103.0-day growing season in Teton 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 Teton County, ID?

Teton County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Teton County, ID?

Teton County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 11.

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Your Teton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Teton 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 Teton County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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