Botanical illustration of grain amaranth

Field guide

When to plant grain amaranth in USDA Zones 5–6

In USDA Zones 5–6, the planner’s broad outdoor planting window for grain amaranth runs from April to June. Grain Amaranth takes 90–120 days from planting to first harvest.

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Planting calendar for USDA Zones 5–6

Spring planting
April to June
Fall planting
Not recommended
Days to harvest
90–120 days
Water needs
low

What USDA Zones 5–6 do—and do not—tell you

These zones span average annual extreme minimum temperatures of roughly -20°F to 0°F. That is useful climate context, but it does not determine your exact frost dates. Check a local forecast or county Extension calendar before planting tender crops.

How to know when to harvest

  • Seed heads are dry and the grain resists a thumbnail
  • Stalks have shifted from green to straw colored

Want a plan that accounts for your crops, growing method, equipment, and plant conditions? Open the free planner for a daily crop checklist and adaptive harvest forecast.

About this field guide

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