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When to plant Amaranth in Wabash County County,

Wabash County County's spring Amaranth window runs April 16 through May 7. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival.

When to Plant Amaranth in Wabash County, IL

Wabash County, Illinois Zone 6b June

Your June game plan for Wabash County, Illinois

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start amaranth under lights

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

To set up a strong July, 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.

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Wabash County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Wabash County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28
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Wabash County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23

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 Wabash County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.3) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Amaranth will thrive.

How to Plant Amaranth

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

Amaranth Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 568 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wabash 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 ~1,916 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Wabash County, IL

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

202 days in Wabash County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Wabash County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 09 in Wabash 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 Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

When should I plant Amaranth in Wabash County, ?

In Wabash County, , plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wabash County, for Amaranth?

Wabash County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Amaranth grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Amaranth grow in Wabash County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Wabash County's temperate climate. Wabash County averages a 202-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 28.

🌱

Your Wabash County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wabash County (Zone 6b). 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 Wabash County, IL. 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.