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When to Plant Amaranth in LaGrange 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.

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, LaGrange County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

LaGrange County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

LaGrange County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 16

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.

Soil Compatibility in LaGrange County

How your county's soil matches Amaranth's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9โ€“7.1) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in LaGrange County is excellent for Amaranth โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) โ€” Amaranth will thrive.

How to Plant Amaranth

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Amaranth needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,607 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” LaGrange County, IN

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Sep 29

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 โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

171 days in LaGrange County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in LaGrange County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 28 in LaGrange County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help LaGrange County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 LaGrange County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.