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When to Plant Amaranth in Major County, OK

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.

Major County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 752 feet, Major County receives approximately 29.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Major County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Major County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23

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 Major County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.4) is within Amaranth's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Amaranth.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,231 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Amaranth

Amaranth needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Amaranth Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Major County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Amaranth Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Amaranth needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,232 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Major County, OK

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

202 days in Major County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Major County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 09 in Major 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Amaranth in Major County, OK?

Major County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Major County, OK?

Major County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Major County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Major County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.