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When to plant Amaranth in Todd County, KY

Amaranth planted in Todd County between April 13 and May 4 matures in 90–120 days — well before the October 29 first frost.

When to Plant Amaranth in Todd County, KY

Todd County, Kentucky Zone 7a June

June in the garden — Todd County, Kentucky

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 6
Avg. first frost October 29
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Todd County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 2,308 feet, Todd County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Todd County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Todd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 20

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 Todd County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–7.1) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 77 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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Todd 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 2,987 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Todd County, KY

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 7

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Todd County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Todd County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 06 in Todd 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 Todd County, KY?

Todd County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Todd County, KY?

Todd County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

When should I plant Amaranth in Todd County, KY?

In Todd County, KY, plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 29). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Todd County, KY for Amaranth?

Todd County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Amaranth grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Amaranth grow in Todd County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Todd County's temperate climate. Todd County averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 29.

🌱

Your Todd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Todd County (Zone 7a). 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 Todd County, KY. 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.