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When to Plant Jicama in Cottle County, TX

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.

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 3,553 feet, Cottle County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Jicama may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Jicama will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Cottle County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Cottle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 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 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Jicama needs ~3,412 GDD — county provides 5,096 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Cottle County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Oct 26

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 Cottle 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 Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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