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When to Plant Amaranth in Coffey County, KS

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.

Coffey County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 466 feet, Coffey County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Coffey County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Coffey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 851 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 2,989 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Coffey County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
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

196 days

Growing Tips for Coffey 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 Coffey County, KS?

Coffey County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffey County, KS?

Coffey County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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