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When to Plant Shiso in Fremont County, WY

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.

Fremont County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.

At an elevation of 6,059 feet, Fremont County receives approximately 14.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shiso to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Shiso successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Fremont County, WY (Zone 4a) Short season
129 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
129 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Fremont County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: Jul 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 21

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
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,127 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Shiso needs ~600 GDD — county provides 1,290 GDD Excellent fit

Shiso Planting Timeline โ€” Fremont County, WY

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 19
Direct Sow May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 12
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

129 days

Growing Tips for Fremont 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 Fremont County, WY?

Fremont County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fremont County, WY?

Fremont County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fremont County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Fremont County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.