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When to Plant Jicama in Magoffin County, KY

Magoffin County, Kentucky Zone 7a May

This month in Magoffin County, Kentucky

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Magoffin County, Kentucky this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant jicama

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

Get ahead of June
  • Starting indoors: jicama

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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.

Magoffin County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 2,020 feet, Magoffin County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season.

Magoffin County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Magoffin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Nov 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Nov 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Nov 26

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.

Soil Compatibility in Magoffin County

How your county's soil matches Jicama's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.9) overlaps with Jicama's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Magoffin County is excellent for Jicama — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Jicama.

How to Plant Jicama

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 22 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Jicama

Jicama needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Jicama Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Magoffin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Jicama Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Jicama needs ~2,738 GDD — county provides 3,485 GDD Good fit

Jicama Planting Timeline — Magoffin County, KY

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 – Nov 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

120–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Magoffin County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Magoffin County

Direct sow Jicama outdoors after April 18 in Magoffin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 191.0-day growing season in Magoffin County is tight for Jicama (120.0-180.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Jicama in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jicama in Magoffin County, KY?

Magoffin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Magoffin County, KY?

Magoffin County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Magoffin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Magoffin County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Magoffin County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.