When to Plant Jicama in USDA Zone 8a
Your May gardening checklist
A quick May briefing for Zone 8a gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Sow jicama in trays indoors
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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.
In Zone 8a, the average last spring frost is around March 8 and the first fall frost is around November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.
Jicama Planting Timeline — Zone 8a
Where Is USDA Zone 8a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8a. Click any state to see the Jicama planting schedule for that location.
Jicama Planting Calendar — Zone 8a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 18 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Direct Sow | March 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 |
| Harvest | July 26 | Jul 26 – Oct 4 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
120–180 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
255 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Jicama in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~255 days). Start Jicama indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Jicama Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Jicama in Other Zones
Jicama by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Jicama in Zone 8a?
In Zone 8a, plan your Jicama planting around the average last frost date of March 8. Start seeds indoors around January 18. Direct sow outdoors around March 15. Transplant seedlings around March 22.
Can Jicama grow in Zone 8a?
Yes, Jicama can grow well in Zone 8a, hardy in USDA zones 7a through 11b. Zone 8a has a growing season of approximately 255 days, which is sufficient for Jicama (120-180 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Jicama in Zone 8a?
In Zone 8a, expect to harvest Jicama from July 26 – October 4. Jicama takes 120-180 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8a is around March 8, and the first fall frost is around November 18. This gives a growing season of approximately 255 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Jicama?
Good companion plants for Jicama include Corn, Squash Summer. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.