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When to Plant Amaranth in Pawnee 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.

Pawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 621 feet, Pawnee County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

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

Pawnee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 4

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.

Soil Compatibility in Pawnee County

How your county's soil matches Amaranth's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.7) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Pawnee County is excellent for Amaranth โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Amaranth.

How to Plant Amaranth

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

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 390 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Amaranth needs ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,031 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Pawnee County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Sep 19

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

181 days in Pawnee County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Pawnee County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 18 in Pawnee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Pawnee County, KS?

Pawnee County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pawnee County, KS?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pawnee County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pawnee County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.