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When to plant Amaranth in Atchison County County,

The best window to plant Amaranth in Atchison County County, is April 24–May 15, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 17; first frost October 21.

When to Plant Amaranth in Atchison County, KS

Atchison County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Atchison County, Kansas gardeners: here's your June plan

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Atchison County, Kansas.

Avg. last frost April 17
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Start amaranth indoors

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 17). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

Looking ahead to 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.

Atchison County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Atchison County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Amaranth to ensure they mature before fall.

Atchison County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21
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Atchison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 3

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 Atchison County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.8) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Amaranth.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,466 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Atchison 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 ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,431 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Atchison County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 – Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April 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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Atchison County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Atchison County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 17 in Atchison 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 Atchison County, KS?

Atchison County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Atchison County, KS?

Atchison County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Amaranth in Atchison County County, ?

In Atchison County County, , plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 17) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Atchison County County, for Amaranth?

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

Can Amaranth grow in Atchison County County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Atchison County County's temperate climate. Atchison County County averages a 187-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 17 and first frost around October 21.

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Your Atchison County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Atchison County (Zone 6a). 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 Atchison County, KS. 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.