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When to Plant Jicama in Latimer County, OK

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.

Latimer County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 773 feet, Latimer County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season.

Latimer County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Latimer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Nov 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Nov 18

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 Latimer County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) is within Jicama's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 725 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

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€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Latimer 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 ~2,512 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Latimer County, OK

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Nov 1

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 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Latimer County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Latimer County

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

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 Latimer County, OK?

Latimer County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Latimer County, OK?

Latimer County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Latimer County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Latimer County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.