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When to Plant Shiso in Wayne County, UT

Wayne County, Utah Zone 6a June

What to do in June

Your Wayne County, Utah garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 46°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: shiso
  • 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.

Wayne County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 7,565 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Shiso during the growing season.

Wayne County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Shiso Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11

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 Wayne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) overlaps with Shiso's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Shiso.

How to Plant Shiso

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

Succession Planting Shiso

3
successive plantings in your 141-day season

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

Shiso 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 483 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Wayne 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 ~870 GDD — county provides 2,044 GDD Excellent fit

Shiso Planting Timeline — Wayne County, UT

Shiso Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 – Jun 11
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 6a

📆 Growing Season

141 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Shiso in Wayne County

Direct sow Shiso outdoors after May 14 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Wayne County receives only 23" of rain annually. Shiso needs consistent moisture — 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 Wayne County, UT?

Wayne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, UT?

Wayne County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Wayne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wayne County (Zone 6a). 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 Wayne County, UT. 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.