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When to Plant Amaranth in Walworth 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.

Walworth County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 1,101 feet, Walworth County receives approximately 39.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Walworth County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Walworth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 13

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 39 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 2,592 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline โ€” Walworth County, WI

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Harvest August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Sep 27

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 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 5a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Walworth 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 Walworth County, WI?

Walworth County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walworth County, WI?

Walworth County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Walworth County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Walworth County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.