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When to plant Amaranth in Jefferson County County,

Amaranth planted in Jefferson County County between April 21 and May 12 matures in 120 days — well before the October 24 first frost.

When to Plant Amaranth in Jefferson County, KS

Jefferson County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Jefferson County, Kansas

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

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Sow amaranth in trays indoors

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

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.

Jefferson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 559 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 23.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Jefferson County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 28

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 Jefferson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 994 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Jefferson 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 ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Jefferson County, KS

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 – Sep 15

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

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

193 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Jefferson County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 14 in Jefferson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Jefferson County receives only 24" of rain annually. Amaranth needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Jefferson County, KS?

Jefferson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, KS?

Jefferson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Amaranth in Jefferson County, ?

In Jefferson County, , plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jefferson County, for Amaranth?

Jefferson 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 Jefferson County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Jefferson County's temperate climate. Jefferson County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Jefferson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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