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When to Plant Jicama in Deaf Smith 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.

Deaf Smith County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 4,473 feet, Deaf Smith County receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Deaf Smith County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Deaf Smith County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Nov 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Sep 19 – Nov 28

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 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Jicama needs ~3,300 GDD — county provides 4,202 GDD Good fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Deaf Smith County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Nov 12

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 โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Deaf Smith 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 Deaf Smith County, TX?

Deaf Smith County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deaf Smith County, TX?

Deaf Smith County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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