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When to Plant Jicama in Dimmit 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.

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 2,638 feet, Dimmit County receives approximately 63.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Dimmit County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
278 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Dimmit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 26 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 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 Dimmit County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.3) is within Jicama's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 121 gal / 100 sq ft

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€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Dimmit 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 ~3,075 GDD — county provides 5,719 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Dimmit County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

278 days in Dimmit County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Dimmit County

Direct sow Jicama outdoors after February 26 in Dimmit 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 Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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