Blog

When to Plant Amaranth in Saline 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.

Saline County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 680 feet, Saline County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Saline County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Saline 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 (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 28

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,014 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 2,928 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Saline County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 16

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

192 days

Growing Tips for Saline 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 Saline County, KS?

Saline County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Saline County, KS?

Saline County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Saline County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.