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When to Plant Jicama in Southampton County, VA

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.

Southampton County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 809 feet, Southampton County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Southampton County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Southampton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Nov 6

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Jicama needs ~2,962 GDD — county provides 4,522 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline โ€” Southampton County, VA

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Oct 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
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

229 days

Growing Tips for Southampton 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 Southampton County, VA?

Southampton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Southampton County, VA?

Southampton County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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