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When to Plant Jicama in Floyd 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.

Floyd County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 169 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Floyd County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Nov 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 15

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 Floyd County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.2) is more acidic than Jicama prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Jicama

Jicama needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Jicama Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Floyd County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Jicama Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Jicama needs ~2,738 GDD — county provides 3,777 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Floyd County, GA

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Nov 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

207 days in Floyd County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Floyd County

Direct sow Jicama outdoors after April 06 in Floyd County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Floyd 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jicama in Floyd County, GA?

Floyd County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, GA?

Floyd County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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