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When to plant Amaranth in Grant County, AR

Grant County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Plant Amaranth between March 27 (after last frost on March 20) and April 17.

When to Plant Amaranth in Grant County, AR

Grant County, Arkansas Zone 8a July

Grant County, Arkansas gardeners: here's your July plan

Each item below is timed to Grant County, Arkansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for amaranth

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: amaranth

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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.

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 498 feet, Grant County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Amaranth root diseases.

Grant County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10

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 Grant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) is more acidic than Amaranth prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Grant County is excellent for Amaranth — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Amaranth.

How to Plant Amaranth

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Amaranth 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 187 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 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Grant County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~2,152 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Grant County, AR

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

236 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Grant County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after March 20 in Grant 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 Grant County, AR?

Grant County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, AR?

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

When should I plant Amaranth in Grant County, AR?

In Grant County, AR, plant Amaranth after the last frost (around March 20) and before the first frost (around November 11). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Grant County, AR for Amaranth?

Grant County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Amaranth grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Amaranth grow in Grant County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Grant County's temperate climate. Grant County averages a 236-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 20 and first frost around November 11.

🌱

Your Grant County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Grant County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Grant County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.