When to Plant Red Currant in Anchorage, Alaska (99521)

Location

Anchorage, Alaska

ZIP Code

99521

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, May 10, 2026 · Zone 5a

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

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 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 Anchorage?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, April 12, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 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

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 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 Anchorage, Alaska? +

In Anchorage (Zone 5a), direct sow Red Currant outdoors around Sunday, April 12, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Anchorage, Alaska? +

The average last spring frost date for Anchorage, Alaska (ZIP 99521) is around Sunday, May 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5a.

How long does Red Currant take to grow? +

Red Currant typically matures in about 730 days from direct sowing. In Anchorage, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, April 12, 2026 plus 730 days.

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

Red Currant does best when direct sown outdoors. In Anchorage, sow directly around Sunday, April 12, 2026.

📚 More Red Currant Planting Guides

🗺️

Red Currant in Alaska

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5a Red Currant Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Anchorage

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 5a

Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Anchorage, Alaska, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Red Currant grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.