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When to plant Amaranth in Henry County, MO

The best window to plant Amaranth in Henry County, is April 21–May 12, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 14; first frost October 22.

When to Plant Amaranth in Henry County, MO

Henry County, Missouri Zone 6b June

June in Henry County, Missouri — your action list

June is a pivotal month for Henry County, Missouri gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: amaranth

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

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.

Henry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,388 feet, Henry County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Henry County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2

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 Henry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 196 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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Henry 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 ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Henry County, MO

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Henry County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Henry County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 14 in Henry 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 Henry County, MO?

Henry 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 Henry County, MO?

Henry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant Amaranth in Henry County, MO?

In Henry County, MO, plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Henry County, MO for Amaranth?

Henry 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 Henry County's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Henry County's temperate climate. Henry County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Henry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Henry 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 Henry County, MO. 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.