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When to plant Shiso in Dunklin County County,

For Dunklin County County, gardeners: plant Shiso April 3 through April 24 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Shiso in Dunklin County, MO

Dunklin County, Missouri Zone 7b June

Top priorities for Dunklin County, Missouri gardeners in June

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Bring in the shiso

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: shiso

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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.

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,344 feet, Dunklin County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Shiso during the growing season.

Dunklin County, MO (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2
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Dunklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Shiso Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 Dunklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.1) overlaps with Shiso's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Dunklin County is excellent for Shiso — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Shiso.

How to Plant Shiso

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

Succession Planting Shiso

5
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

Shiso Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 706 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Dunklin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Shiso needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,510 GDD Excellent fit

Shiso Planting Timeline — Dunklin County, MO

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 24
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 – Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Dunklin County

Growing Tips for Shiso in Dunklin County

Direct sow Shiso outdoors after March 27 in Dunklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

When should I plant Shiso in Dunklin County, ?

In Dunklin County, , plant Shiso after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dunklin County, for Shiso?

Dunklin County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Shiso grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Shiso grow in Dunklin County's climate?

Yes — Shiso grows well in Dunklin County's temperate climate. Dunklin County averages a 220-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your Dunklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dunklin County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Dunklin County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.