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When to Plant Currants in Twin Falls County, ID

Twin Falls County, Idaho Zone 6b May

This month in Twin Falls County, Idaho

Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 4
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Time to transplant currants

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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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.

Twin Falls County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 4,584 feet, Twin Falls County receives approximately 21.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Currants during the growing season.

Twin Falls County, ID (Zone 6b) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Twin Falls County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 25

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 Twin Falls County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Twin Falls 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

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 278 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 2.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Twin Falls 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 ~13,231 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline — Twin Falls County, ID

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 6b

📆 Growing Season

147 days in Twin Falls County

Growing Tips for Currants in Twin Falls County

Direct sow Currants outdoors after May 10 in Twin Falls County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 147.0-day growing season in Twin Falls 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 Twin Falls County, ID?

Twin Falls County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Twin Falls County, ID?

Twin Falls County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 4.

🌱

Your Twin Falls County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Twin Falls County (Zone 6b). 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 Twin Falls County, ID. 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.