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When to Plant Jicama in Hale 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.

Hale County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,231 feet, Hale County receives approximately 44.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, 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.

Hale County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Hale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Nov 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Nov 11

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 245 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Jicama needs ~4,088 GDD — county provides 5,695 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Hale County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Nov 3

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 Harvest
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

209 days

Growing Tips for Hale 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 Hale County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Hale County, TX?

Hale County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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