When to Plant Shiso in Clallam County, WA
Your July game plan for Clallam County, Washington
Each item below is timed to Clallam County, Washington's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Basket week: shiso
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
- First harvests: shiso
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.
Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.
At an elevation of 194 feet, Clallam County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Shiso to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shiso root diseases.
Clallam County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Shiso Planting Risk Windows
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 Clallam County
How your county's soil matches Shiso's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) is within Shiso's preferred range (5.5–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Clallam County is excellent for Shiso — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Shiso will thrive.
How to Plant Shiso
Succession Planting Shiso
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.
Shiso Water Budget
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 | — | 8.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.1" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 9.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 7.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clallam 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 Planting Timeline — Clallam County, WA
Shiso Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 7 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Direct Sow | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 21 |
| Harvest | July 2 | Jul 2 – Aug 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
50–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
186 days in Clallam County
Growing Tips for Shiso in Clallam County
Direct sow Shiso outdoors after April 23 in Clallam 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 →
Shiso in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shiso in Clallam County, WA?
Clallam County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Shiso planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Clallam County, WA?
Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 26.
Your Clallam County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Clallam County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.