Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Borage is an annual flowering herb that is native to the Mediterranean region and has been naturalized effectively in the United States. Borage blooms beautiful hanging clusters of blue and pink star-shaped flowers all summer long. The leaves are covered in fuzzy & stiff white hairs, giving the plant a wooly appearance. It is possible for Borage to grow up to 3 feet tall and is nearly maintenance free, making it a fantastic plant to grow in the garden. Bees and butterflies will love the source of nectar found in the attractive bright flowers and make a great addition to your butterfly waystation alongside Common Milkweed. Borage leaves have a cucumber-like flavor, making them great to use in cooking such as adding to soups, sauces and pastas. The star-shaped flowers can be eaten raw in salads or made into infusion drinks like lemonade or herbal tea.
NAME: Borage (Borago officials)
VARIETY: Common
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 2 – 9
PLANT TYPE: Annual
STRATIFICATION: Not required
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 70 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Average, well-draining soils with a soil pH 6.0 – 7.0
PLANT HEIGHT: 2 – 3 feet
SPACING: 16 – 24 inches
TEMP: 50 – 90°F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last local spring frost 1/4 inch deep in large pots or cell trays filled with moistened seed starting soil mix. Be sure to generously water in the seeds.
During germination, keep the soil moist and the temperature around 65°F. Providing a heat mat under the trays may help germinate the seeds if you are keeping the trays/pots in a cool area. The seeds will emerge in 7 to 15 days.
As soon as the seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or place the trays/pots 3 to 4 inches beneath fluorescent/LED plant lights turned on 15 hours, off for 9 hours, raising the light as they get taller
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
When the seedlings have at least four leaves you can transplant them outdoors into a weed-free garden bed in an area which receives mostly full sunlight
Direct sow seeds outdoors once temps reach 55°F and above consistently
Sow one seed every 6 inches and cover the seeds with 1/2 inch of fine soil
Press soil down lightly and water seeds in generously; it is important to keep the soil continuously moist until the seedlings germinate and grow to be 3 inches tall
Seedlings will emerge in 7 to 15
Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart when they are 8 inches tall
Prepare your garden beds by removing weeds, adding compost and leveling the soil. Lightly till the top few inches of soil if compacted Your soil beds should be fairly loose and well-draining.
Common Borage leaves, flowers, and stems are edible and can be harvested throughout the growing season.
Harvest leaves and flowers as needed for culinary use in salads, teas, or garnishes.
Trim flower stalks to encourage continued blooming and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.
Borage flowers can also be harvested for fresh or dried arrangements to enjoy indoors or share with others.
