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When to Plant Jicama in Greene County, NC

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.

Greene County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 980 feet, Greene County receives approximately 52.4 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.

Greene County, NC (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 9

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 35 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~3,075 GDD — county provides 4,592 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, NC

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Oct 24

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

224 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, NC?

Greene County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, NC?

Greene County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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