When to Plant Amaranth in Yellow Medicine County, MN
Your May gardening checklist
May is a pivotal month for Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Harden off and plant amaranth
Frost risk is low now in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Outdoor sowing time: amaranth
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
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.
Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.
At an elevation of 1,382 feet, Yellow Medicine County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Amaranth to ensure they mature before fall.
Yellow Medicine County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Yellow Medicine County
How your county's soil matches Amaranth's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–6.8) is within Amaranth's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Yellow Medicine County is excellent for Amaranth — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Amaranth.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Amaranth will thrive.
How to Plant Amaranth
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Yellow Medicine 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 Planting Timeline — Yellow Medicine County, MN
Amaranth Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 21 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Direct Sow | May 14 | May 14 – Jun 4 |
| Harvest | August 20 | Aug 20 – Oct 8 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
157 days in Yellow Medicine County
Growing Tips for Amaranth in Yellow Medicine County
Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 30 in Yellow Medicine 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Amaranth in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Amaranth in Yellow Medicine County, MN?
Yellow Medicine County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Yellow Medicine County, MN?
Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 4.
Your Yellow Medicine County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Yellow Medicine County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.