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When to Plant Amaranth in Marshall 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.

Marshall County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 840 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 22.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Amaranth to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 5

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,411 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Amaranth needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, KS

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

175 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, KS?

Marshall 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 Marshall County, KS?

Marshall County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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