Blog

When to Plant Jicama in Berrien County, GA

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.

Berrien County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 251 feet, Berrien County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Berrien County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Berrien County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 22

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.

Soil Compatibility in Berrien County

How your county's soil matches Jicama's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.5) overlaps with Jicama's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Berrien County is excellent for Jicama โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Jicama.

How to Plant Jicama

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 117 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~2,962 GDD — county provides 5,194 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Berrien County, GA

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

263 days in Berrien County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Berrien County

Direct sow Jicama outdoors after March 05 in Berrien County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Berrien County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Jicama. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Jicama in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Berrien County, GA?

Berrien County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Berrien County, GA?

Berrien County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Berrien County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Berrien County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.