When to Plant Currants in Salt Lake County, UT
Your May gardening checklist
Each item below is timed to Salt Lake County, Utah's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Time to transplant currants
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
Currants are small, tart berries that grow on attractive shrubs in red, white, and black varieties. They are prized for jams, jellies, and liqueurs.
Salt Lake County, Utah is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.
At an elevation of 4,960 feet, Salt Lake County receives approximately 12.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°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.
Salt Lake County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-8.3
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 Salt Lake County
How your county's soil matches Currants's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) is more alkaline than Currants prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Salt Lake 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 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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1.1" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 0.9" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 1.2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Salt Lake 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 — Salt Lake County, UT
Currants Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 10 |
· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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 · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
157 days in Salt Lake County
Growing Tips for Currants in Salt Lake County
Direct sow Currants outdoors after May 06 in Salt Lake County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 157.0-day growing season in Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake County, UT?
Salt Lake County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Salt Lake County, UT?
Salt Lake County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 10.
Your Salt Lake County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Salt Lake County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.