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When to Plant Amaranth in Hood County, TX

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.

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,554 feet, Hood County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Amaranth, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Amaranth root diseases.

Hood County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Hood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Hood County, TX

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

236 days in Hood County

Growing Tips for Hood 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 Hood County, TX?

Hood County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hood County, TX?

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Hood County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hood County (Zone 8b). 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 Hood County, TX. 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.