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When to Plant Amaranth in Dauphin County, PA

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.

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,024 feet, Dauphin County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season.

Dauphin County, PA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Dauphin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Dauphin County, PA

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 – Sep 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Dauphin County

Growing Tips for Dauphin County

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 Dauphin County, PA?

Dauphin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dauphin County, PA?

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Dauphin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dauphin County (Zone 7a). 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 Dauphin County, PA. 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.