When to Plant Jicama in USDA Zone 9a
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 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Jicama Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Jicama planting schedule for that location.
Jicama Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 30 | Dec 30 – Jan 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Direct Sow | February 10 | Feb 10 – Mar 3 |
| Harvest | June 23 | Jun 23 – Sep 1 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a 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
20°F to 25°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone 9a 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 9a
Zone 9a offers a long growing season (~303 days). You can plant Jicama earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
Level Up Your Garden
Saving Jicama Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
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 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Jicama planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around December 30. Direct sow outdoors around February 10. Transplant seedlings around February 17.
Can Jicama grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Jicama can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 7a through 11b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Jicama (120-180 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Jicama in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Jicama from June 23 – September 1. Jicama takes 120-180 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 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.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
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