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When to Plant Jicama in Wasco County, OR

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.

Wasco County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 432 feet, Wasco County receives approximately 35.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Jicama to ensure they mature before fall.

Wasco County, OR (Zone 7a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Wasco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

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 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Jicama Planting Timeline — Wasco County, OR

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Harvest September 10 Sep 10 – Nov 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

120–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Wasco County

Growing Tips for Wasco 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jicama in Wasco County, OR?

Wasco County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wasco County, OR?

Wasco County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 12.

🌱

Your Wasco County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wasco 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 Wasco County, OR. 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.