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When to Plant Amaranth in Martin 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.

Martin County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 884 feet, Martin County receives approximately 34.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Martin County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Martin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 1

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 395 gal / 100 sq ft
Amaranth needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,056 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Martin County, IN

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Sep 14

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

191 days

Growing Tips for Martin 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 Martin County, IN?

Martin County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Martin County, IN?

Martin County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Martin 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 Martin County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.