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When to Plant Jicama in Galveston 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.

Galveston County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 305 days.

At an elevation of 9 feet, Galveston County receives approximately 72.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, 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.

Galveston County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
305 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
305 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Galveston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 7 Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 25

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 13 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~3,750 GDD — county provides 7,650 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Galveston County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 25 Dec 25 โ€“ Jan 8
Transplant Outdoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 26
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 9a

Growing Season

305 days

Growing Tips for Galveston 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 Galveston County, TX?

Galveston County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Galveston County, TX?

Galveston County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Galveston County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Galveston County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.