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When to Plant Jicama in Hot Spring County, AR

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.

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 754 feet, Hot Spring County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season.

Hot Spring County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Hot Spring County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Nov 11

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 187 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~2,400 GDD — county provides 3,696 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Hot Spring County, AR

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Oct 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
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

231 days

Growing Tips for Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.