When to Plant Red Currant in Dorsey, Illinois (62021)

Location

Dorsey, Illinois

ZIP Code

62021

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Based on last frost Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · Zone 6b

Pro tip: Sow Red Currant directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Ribes rubrum

Days to Maturity 730 days

Mature Height 36-60"

Spread 48"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

60" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

4" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 21-42 days

Ready to Plant Red Currant in Dorsey?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

RosemaryHyssop

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Black Walnut

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Red Currant

See which plants help Red Currant thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌿 Fruit Tree Fertilizer 🕸️ Garden Netting 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Harvest ripe berries mid-summer when fully red.

Processing

Mash berries, strain seeds from pulp, rinse and dry completely before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Cold-stratify seeds in the fridge for 6–8 weeks before sowing in spring to improve germination.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 1 plant of Red Currant. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Red Currant in Dorsey, Illinois? +

In Dorsey (Zone 6b), direct sow Red Currant outdoors around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Dorsey, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Dorsey, Illinois (ZIP 62021) is around Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6b.

How long does Red Currant take to grow? +

Red Currant typically matures in about 730 days from direct sowing. In Dorsey, that means you can expect harvest around Wednesday, March 18, 2026 plus 730 days.

Should I start Red Currant indoors or direct sow in Illinois? +

Red Currant does best when direct sown outdoors. In Dorsey, sow directly around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

📚 More Red Currant Planting Guides

🗺️

Red Currant in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6b Red Currant Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Dorsey

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Red Currant in Zone 6b

Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Dorsey, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, you should direct sow seeds around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Red Currant grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.