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When to Plant Jicama in Camp County, TX

Camp County, Texas Zone 8b May

Your May planting checklist for Camp County, Texas

A quick May briefing for Camp County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Get jicama seeds going inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

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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.

Camp County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 285 feet, Camp County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Jicama will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Jicama root diseases.

Camp County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Camp County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Nov 2

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 Camp County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.3) is more acidic than Jicama prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Camp County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Jicama will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Camp 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 ~2,850 GDD — county provides 4,617 GDD Excellent fit

Jicama Planting Timeline — Camp County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 24 Jan 24 – Feb 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

120–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Camp County

Growing Tips for Jicama in Camp County

Direct sow Jicama outdoors after March 14 in Camp County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Camp County dries quickly — mulch Jicama with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Camp County, TX?

Camp County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camp County, TX?

Camp County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Your Camp County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Camp County (Zone 8b). 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 Camp County, TX. 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.