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When to Plant Amaranth in Fall River County, SD

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.

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,056 feet, Fall River County receives approximately 25.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Amaranth to ensure they mature before fall.

Fall River County, SD (Zone 5a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Fall River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Fall River County, SD

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 – Jun 11
Harvest August 27 Aug 27 – Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

140 days in Fall River County

Growing Tips for Fall River 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 Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

🌱

Your Fall River County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fall River County (Zone 5a). 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 Fall River County, SD. 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.