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When to Plant Shiso in Briscoe County, TX

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.

Briscoe County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 4,513 feet, Briscoe County receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Shiso may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Shiso will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Briscoe County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Briscoe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

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€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 4.3" 1" 3.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 10.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Shiso Planting Timeline โ€” Briscoe County, TX

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

210 days in Briscoe County

Growing Tips for Briscoe 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 Briscoe County, TX?

Briscoe County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Briscoe County, TX?

Briscoe County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Briscoe County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Briscoe County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.