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When to Plant Amaranth in Beckham County, OK

Beckham County, Oklahoma Zone 7b May

Top priorities for Beckham County, Oklahoma gardeners in May

Welcome to May in Zone 7b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Sow amaranth in trays indoors

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

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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.

Beckham County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 871 feet, Beckham County receives approximately 30 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Beckham County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Beckham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16

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 Beckham County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.2) is within Amaranth's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Amaranth.

How to Plant Amaranth

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 918 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Beckham 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 ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,392 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Beckham County, OK

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 – May 3
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 – Sep 6

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 · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

212 days in Beckham County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Beckham County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 05 in Beckham 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 Beckham County, OK?

Beckham County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beckham County, OK?

Beckham County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 3.

🌱

Your Beckham County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Beckham County (Zone 7b). 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 Beckham County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.