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When to Plant Jicama in Dawson County, TX

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.

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,748 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Jicama may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Jicama will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Dawson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.4

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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Jicama Planting Timeline — Dawson County, TX

Jicama Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 – Oct 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

120–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Dawson County

Growing Tips for Dawson 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 Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Dawson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dawson County (Zone 8a). 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 Dawson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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