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When to Plant Amaranth in Pittsburg County, OK

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma Zone 7b May

This month in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

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

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Time to start amaranth inside

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

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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.

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 620 feet, Pittsburg County receives approximately 32.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Pittsburg County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1
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Pittsburg 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 (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 18

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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg County is excellent for Amaranth — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 659 gal / 100 sq ft

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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Pittsburg 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 ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,692 GDD Excellent fit

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Pittsburg County, OK

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 – May 2
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Sep 5

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
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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

211 days in Pittsburg County

Growing Tips for Amaranth in Pittsburg County

Direct sow Amaranth outdoors after April 04 in Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Your Pittsburg County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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.