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When to Plant Amaranth in Tipton 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.

Tipton County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 1,282 feet, Tipton County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Tipton County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Tipton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 9

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 414 gal / 100 sq ft
Amaranth needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,447 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Tipton County, IN

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Tipton 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 Tipton County, IN?

Tipton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tipton County, IN?

Tipton County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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