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When to Plant Amaranth in Dearborn County, IN

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.

Dearborn County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 1,290 feet, Dearborn County receives approximately 32.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Dearborn County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Dearborn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 453 gal / 100 sq ft
Amaranth needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,571 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Dearborn County, IN

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Dearborn 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 Dearborn County, IN?

Dearborn County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dearborn County, IN?

Dearborn County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dearborn County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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