Blog

When to Plant Amaranth in East Carroll Parish, LA

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.

East Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 55 feet, East Carroll Parish receives approximately 56.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Amaranth may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Amaranth root diseases.

East Carroll Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

East Carroll Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 24

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 146 gal / 100 sq ft
Amaranth needs ~2,310 GDD — county provides 5,544 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” East Carroll Parish, LA

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

252 days

Growing Tips for East Carroll Parish

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 East Carroll Parish, LA?

East Carroll Parish is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Carroll Parish, LA?

East Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help East Carroll Parish gardeners in Zone 8a 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 East Carroll Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.