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When to Plant Jicama in Calhoun County, AL

Jicama is a tropical legume grown for its crisp, sweet, starchy root. It requires a very long, warm growing season but produces a refreshing, water chestnut-like tuber.

Calhoun County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 440 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Jicama, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Calhoun County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
214 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Nov 14

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~3,075 GDD — county provides 4,387 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, AL

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Oct 27

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

214 days

Growing Tips for Calhoun County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Pinch off flowers to direct energy to root development. Harvest before first frost when roots are 3-6 inches across.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jicama in Calhoun County, AL?

Calhoun County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, AL?

Calhoun County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Calhoun County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Calhoun County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.