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When to Plant Jicama in Hood 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.

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,554 feet, Hood County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Jicama, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Hood County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Hood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 20 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 9

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
Jicama needs ~3,075 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Hood County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Oct 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
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

236 days

Growing Tips for Hood 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 Hood County, TX?

Hood County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hood County, TX?

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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