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When to Plant Shiso in Weston 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.

Weston County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 5,889 feet, Weston County receives approximately 20.7 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.

Weston County, WY (Zone 4a) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
133 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Weston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 9

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 492 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Shiso needs ~645 GDD — county provides 1,429 GDD Excellent fit

Shiso Planting Timeline โ€” Weston County, WY

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 20
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Sep 26

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 โ€”
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

133 days

Growing Tips for Weston 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 Weston County, WY?

Weston County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Weston County, WY?

Weston County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Weston 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 Weston County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.