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When to Plant Shiso in Adams County, NE

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.

Adams County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Adams County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Shiso to ensure they mature before fall.

Adams County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Shiso Planting Timeline — Adams County, NE

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Adams County

Growing Tips for Adams 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shiso in Adams County, NE?

Adams County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, NE?

Adams County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 8.

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Your Adams County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Adams County (Zone 5b). 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 Adams County, NE. 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.