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When to plant Amaranth in Roach, MO

Plant Amaranth in Roach after April 9; the prime window is April 16–May 7.

When to Plant Amaranth in Roach, MO

Camden County, Missouri Zone 6b July

What to do in July

Here's what deserves your attention in Camden County, Missouri this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Collect amaranth at their peak

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Get ahead of August
  • 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.

Roach, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 994 feet, Camden County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Roach, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Roach Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 24

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 Roach

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.9) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 506 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Camden 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 ~1,601 GDD — county provides 3,034 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Roach, MO

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 10

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
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

199 days in Camden County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Roach

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 09 in Camden 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 →

When should I plant Amaranth in Roach, MO?

In Roach, MO, plant Amaranth after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Roach, MO for Amaranth?

Roach sits in USDA Zone 6b. Amaranth grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Amaranth grow in Roach's climate?

Yes — Amaranth grows well in Roach's temperate climate. Roach averages a 199-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Camden County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Camden 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 Camden County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.