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When to Plant Amaranth in Thompson-Nicola, BC

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.

Thompson-Nicola, British Columbia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,131 feet, Thompson-Nicola receives approximately 63.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly podzolic loam soil. Summer highs average 89°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.

Thompson-Nicola, BC (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
200 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Thompson-Nicola Soil Profile

Soil Type

Podzolic Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Thompson-Nicola, BC

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Thompson-Nicola

Growing Tips for Thompson-Nicola

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 Thompson-Nicola, BC?

Thompson-Nicola is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thompson-Nicola, BC?

Thompson-Nicola, British Columbia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Thompson-Nicola Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Thompson-Nicola (Zone 7a). 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 Thompson-Nicola, BC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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