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When to Plant Amaranth in Providence County, RI

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.

Providence County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,199 feet, Providence County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Providence County, RI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Providence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 14

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Amaranth needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,745 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Providence County, RI

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Sep 24

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

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

180 days

Growing Tips for Providence 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 Providence County, RI?

Providence County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Providence County, RI?

Providence County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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