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When to Plant Jicama in Dixie County, FL

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.

Dixie County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 428 feet, Dixie County receives approximately 55.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Jicama may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Jicama will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Dixie County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Dixie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 16

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,097 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Jicama needs ~3,862 GDD — county provides 6,617 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Dixie County, FL

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

257 days

Growing Tips for Dixie 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 Dixie County, FL?

Dixie County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dixie County, FL?

Dixie County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dixie County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Dixie County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.