Blog

When to Plant Amaranth in Logan County, CO

Amaranth is an ancient grain crop with edible leaves and seeds, rich in protein and micronutrients. It thrives in warm conditions and is drought-tolerant once established.

Logan County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 6,511 feet, Logan County receives approximately 14.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Amaranth to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Amaranth successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Logan County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 22

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 902 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Amaranth needs ~1,286 GDD — county provides 1,800 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Logan County, CO

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Oct 12

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

147 days

Growing Tips for Logan County

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart. Harvest leaves when young and tender; harvest seeds when flower heads begin to dry.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Amaranth in Logan County, CO?

Logan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, CO?

Logan County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Logan County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Logan County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.