When to Plant Red Currant in New Jersey

Growing Red Currant in New Jersey: Complete Guide

Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) is planted as nursery stock — a container-grown or bare-root plant from a garden center, not seed. Depending on your zone, the ideal spring window in New Jersey falls between February 20, 2027 (Zone 8a) and March 18, 2027 (Zone 6b); early fall works too, once summer heat breaks.

Because New Jersey stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 730 days to maturity, Red Currant fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Red Currant requires full sun to partial shade and regular (1-2 inches/week) moisture. In the Northeast, cool summers and moderate humidity can slow warm-season crops, so choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to maximise heat.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of New Jersey.