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When to Plant Amaranth in Richland County, WI

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.

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,098 feet, Richland County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Richland County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 29

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Amaranth needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,103 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, WI

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 9
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

153 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, WI?

Richland County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, WI?

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richland County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Richland County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.