When to Plant Currants in Menominee County, WI
Your May game plan for Menominee County, Wisconsin
Here's what deserves your attention in Menominee County, Wisconsin this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.
-
Harden off and plant 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.
Menominee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 547 feet, Menominee County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Currants to ensure they mature before fall.
Menominee County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.1-7.1
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 Menominee County
How your county's soil matches Currants's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.1–7.1) 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 Menominee County is excellent for Currants — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Currants will thrive.
How to Plant Currants
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 2.6" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 2.7" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Menominee 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 — Menominee County, WI
Currants Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 30 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
· 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
148 days in Menominee County
Growing Tips for Currants in Menominee County
Direct sow Currants outdoors after May 09 in Menominee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 148.0-day growing season in Menominee 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 Menominee County, WI?
Menominee County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Currants planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Menominee County, WI?
Menominee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 4.
Your Menominee County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Menominee County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.