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When to Plant Amaranth in Meade 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.

Meade County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 705 feet, Meade County receives approximately 20.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Meade County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Meade County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 3

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,074 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Amaranth needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,237 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Meade County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Sep 17

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

185 days

Growing Tips for Meade 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 Meade County, KS?

Meade County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Meade County, KS?

Meade County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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