When to Plant Amaranth in Traill County, ND
Traill County, North Dakota gardeners: here's your May plan
Your garden in Traill County, North Dakota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Harden off and plant amaranth
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Put amaranth seeds straight in the ground
These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.
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.
Traill County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.
At an elevation of 569 feet, Traill County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Amaranth to ensure they mature before fall.
Traill County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.6
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 Traill County
How your county's soil matches Amaranth's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Amaranth's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Traill County is excellent for Amaranth — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Amaranth.
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 | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Traill 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 — Traill County, ND
Amaranth Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 31 | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Direct Sow | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 14 |
| Harvest | August 30 | Aug 30 – Oct 18 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4a
📆 Growing Season
144 days in Traill County
Growing Tips for Amaranth in Traill County
Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after May 10 in Traill County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Traill 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Amaranth in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Amaranth in Traill County, ND?
Traill County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Traill County, ND?
Traill County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 1.
Your Traill County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Traill County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.