When to Plant Jicama in Garfield County, WA
What to do in May
Here's what deserves your attention in Garfield County, Washington this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Time to transplant jicama
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Direct-sow jicama
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- Starting indoors: jicama
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.
Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.
At an elevation of 3,226 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Jicama during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Jicama successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Garfield County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Garfield 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 Garfield County is excellent for Jicama — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Jicama.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Jicama will thrive.
How to Plant Jicama
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 1.1" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.3" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.3" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Garfield 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 Planting Timeline — Garfield County, WA
Jicama Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Direct Sow | May 16 | May 16 – Jun 6 |
| Harvest | September 26 | Sep 26 – Dec 5 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | Harvest |
| December | Harvest |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
120–180 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
144 days in Garfield County
Growing Tips for Jicama in Garfield County
Direct sow Jicama outdoors after May 09 in Garfield County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 144.0-day growing season in Garfield 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.
Garfield County receives only 18" of rain annually. Jicama needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Jicama in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Jicama in Garfield County, WA?
Garfield County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Jicama planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Garfield County, WA?
Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Garfield County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Garfield 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.