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When to plant Amaranth in Barrow County County,

Barrow County County gardeners should plant Amaranth between March 30 and April 20 in spring. With Barrow County County's Zone 8a climate (last frost March 23), Amaranth needs 120 days to mature — plant by July 16 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Amaranth in Barrow County, GA

Barrow County, Georgia Zone 8a June

What to do in June

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

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • 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.

Barrow County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Barrow County receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Amaranth, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Amaranth root diseases.

Barrow County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Barrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11

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 Barrow County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Barrow 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 ~2,074 GDD — county provides 4,641 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Barrow County, GA

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

235 days in Barrow County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Barrow County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after March 23 in Barrow County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Barrow County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Amaranth. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Barrow County, GA?

Barrow County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barrow County, GA?

Barrow County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 13.

When should I plant Amaranth in Barrow County, ?

In Barrow County, , plant Amaranth after the last frost (around March 23) and before the first frost (around November 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Barrow County, for Amaranth?

Barrow 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 Barrow County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Barrow County's temperate climate. Barrow County averages a 235-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 23 and first frost around November 13.

🌱

Your Barrow County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Barrow 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 Barrow County, GA. 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.