Shiso: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you sow shiso outdoors?
Sow shiso directly outdoors after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Choose clearly identified culinary seed matching the kind of perilla you want to grow: green and red selections do not all have the same leaves. Use a recent seed lot and follow its preparation instructions. Soaking or chilling is not a universal requirement for every lot.
Choose a sunny or lightly shaded position with fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Remove competing weeds and prepare a fine surface. Scatter the small seeds without crowding them, gently press them into contact with the soil and avoid burying them deeply. Follow the packet instructions if a very thin covering is recommended, since light helps germination. Water with a fine spray so that the seeds stay in place.
Keep the surface consistently moist without soaking it, and mark the sowing area. Emergence can be uneven, so check moisture and temperature before deciding that the sowing has failed. Once the seedlings are sturdy, thin them according to the vigour of the selection and the spacing recommended on the packet. Carefully remove nearby weeds and protect the young shoots from slugs if you notice damage.
How to care for this plant
-
Thin seedlings
If seedlings crowd each other, thin those intended to form large clumps using the spacing for your variety. Keep a denser stand for a quick baby-leaf harvest. In a module, distinguish this selection from final garden spacing.
When and how should you harvest shiso leaves?
