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When to plant Amaranth in Gray County County,

Plant Amaranth in Gray County County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 25. Continue planting through May 16 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Amaranth in Gray County, KS

Gray County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Top priorities for Gray County, Kansas gardeners in June

Your Gray County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Start amaranth under lights

    You're about 18 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

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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.

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 903 feet, Gray County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Gray County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Gray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 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 Gray County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 593 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gray 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 ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Gray County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 19

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
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

184 days in Gray County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Gray County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 18 in Gray 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 Gray County, KS?

Gray County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, KS?

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Amaranth in Gray County, ?

In Gray County, , plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Gray County, for Amaranth?

Gray 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 Gray County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Gray County's temperate climate. Gray County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 19.

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Your Gray County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gray 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 Gray 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.