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When to Plant Shiso in Page County, VA

Shiso (perilla) is a fragrant Japanese herb with large, ruffled leaves in green or purple varieties. It has a unique flavor combining mint, basil, and anise.

Page County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 256 feet, Page County receives approximately 43.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shiso during the growing season.

Page County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Page County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 121 gal / 100 sq ft
Shiso needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,316 GDD Excellent fit

Shiso Planting Timeline โ€” Page County, VA

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 17

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

198 days

Growing Tips for Page County

Direct sow after last frost or start indoors. Both green and red varieties are available. Pinch tips to encourage bushiness. Self-sows prolifically; deadhead to control.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shiso in Page County, VA?

Page County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Page County, VA?

Page County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Page County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Page County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.