Blog

When to plant Jicama in Dade County County,

Dade County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Plant Jicama between April 15 (after last frost on April 8) and May 6.

When to Plant Jicama in Dade County, MO

Dade County, Missouri Zone 7a June

June to-do list for Dade County, Missouri

Here's what deserves your attention in Dade County, Missouri this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Dade County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 660 feet, Dade County receives approximately 37.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season.

Dade County, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26
Share this guide:

Dade County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Jicama Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 4
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 15

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 Dade County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) overlaps with Jicama's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Jicama.

How to Plant Jicama

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

Jicama Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 451 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Dade 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 ~2,062 GDD — county provides 2,763 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline — Dade County, MO

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 – May 6
Harvest August 26 Aug 26 – Nov 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

201 days in Dade County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Dade County

Direct sow Jicama outdoors after April 08 in Dade County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Dade County, MO?

Dade County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dade County, MO?

Dade County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Jicama in Dade County County, ?

In Dade County County, , plant Jicama after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dade County County, for Jicama?

Dade County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Jicama grows reliably in zones 7a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Jicama grow in Dade County County's climate?

Yes — Jicama grows well in Dade County County's temperate climate. Dade County County averages a 201-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Dade County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dade 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dade County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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