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When to Plant Jicama in Jackson County, OR

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.

Jackson County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 422 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season.

Jackson County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Sep 13 – Nov 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 24 – Dec 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Oct 20 – Dec 29

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 85 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~2,400 GDD — county provides 2,496 GDD Good fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, OR

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest September 24 Sep 24 โ€“ Dec 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 8a

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, OR?

Jackson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, OR?

Jackson County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Jackson County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.