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When to Plant Shiso in Sublette 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.

Sublette County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 22 and the first fall frost is August 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 63 days.

At an elevation of 5,005 feet, Sublette County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shiso to ensure they mature before fall.

Sublette County, WY (Zone 3b) Very short season
63 days
Last Spring Frost June 22
63 growing days
First Fall Frost August 24

Sublette 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: Apr 22 Transplant: Jul 8 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jul 13 🍅 Harvest: Sep 7 – Nov 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 5 Transplant: Jul 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 15 – Nov 10

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 Sublette County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.8) is more alkaline than Shiso prefers (5.5โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Sublette County is excellent for Shiso โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Shiso.

How to Plant Shiso

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Shiso

Shiso needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Shiso Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Oct โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Aug in Sublette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Shiso 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Shiso needs ~645 GDD — county provides 677 GDD Good fit

Shiso Planting Timeline โ€” Sublette County, WY

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Transplant Outdoors July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Direct Sow June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Nov 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

63 days in Sublette County

Growing Tips for Shiso in Sublette County

Direct sow Shiso outdoors after June 22 in Sublette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sublette County receives only 23" of rain annually. Shiso needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shiso in Sublette County, WY?

Sublette County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of June 22. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sublette County, WY?

Sublette County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 22 and first fall frost is August 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sublette County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sublette County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.