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Can You Grow Red Currant in Ontario?

Canada · Canadian Zone 5 · zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Grows well here

Red currants are perfectly suited to your cool climate — they fruit reliably every year.

Plant zones

3a–6b

Ontario last frost

mid-April

Ontario first frost

mid-October

Days to harvest

Perennial

About Red Currant

Red currants produce clusters of jewel-like berries in early summer — tart, high in pectin, and exceptional for jams, jellies, and juice. One of the most cold-hardy small fruits available.

Plant in a sheltered spot with good air circulation. Fruits on two and three-year-old wood — prune out older stems annually. Harvest full clusters in midsummer. Birds love them, so net the bush as they ripen.

Full red currant growing guide →

Gardening in Ontario

Ontario spans several climate zones. Northern Ontario is Zone 3-4 with short seasons; southern Ontario is Zone 5-7 with long productive seasons. The Niagara Peninsula is one of Canada's premier fruit-growing regions.

See what grows well in Ontario →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Red Currant in Ontario?

Red currants are perfectly suited to your cool climate — they fruit reliably every year.

What zone is Ontario?

Ontario spans Canadian Zone 5 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

When do you plant Red Currants in Ontario?

See the planting guide for Red Currant — timing depends on your exact frost date.