Blog

When to Plant Currants in Dubois County, IN

Dubois County, Indiana Zone 6b May

May in Dubois County, Indiana — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Dubois County, Indiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Move currants into the garden

    Your last frost (April 12) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Dubois County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 589 feet, Dubois County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Currants during the growing season.

Dubois County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Dubois County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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 Dubois County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.3) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Currants will thrive.

How to Plant Currants

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 133 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.2" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2.9" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Dubois 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 ~14,600 GDD — county provides 3,072 GDD May not mature

Currants Planting Timeline — Dubois County, IN

Currants Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
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

192 days in Dubois County

Growing Tips for Currants in Dubois County

Direct sow Currants outdoors after April 12 in Dubois County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 192.0-day growing season in Dubois 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 Dubois County, IN?

Dubois County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dubois County, IN?

Dubois County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 21.

🌱

Your Dubois County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Dubois 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dubois County, IN. 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.