Planting Borage
Borage is a warm season herb in the Boraginaceae family. Getting the timing right is the difference between a strong stand and a disappointing one, so the windows below are given relative to your own last spring frost and first fall frost rather than a generic calendar date. Look up your local frost dates and count back or forward from there.
Sow Borage directly into the garden 0–1 weeks after your last frost, once the soil has warmed.
Spacing and Planting Depth
Give Borage room to mature. The figures below come from verified extension and seed-supplier data for typical varieties.
| Spacing in row | 12 inches |
|---|---|
| Row spacing | 18 inches |
| Plants per sq ft | 0.67 |
| Planting depth | 0.5 inches |
| Sun requirement | Full sun |
Days to Maturity
Borage reaches maturity in 50–60 days from sowing.
Borage is ready to harvest after about 55 days. Harvest before the first fall frost, which will end the plant's productive season.
Conditions and Care
As a warm-season herb, Borage needs warm soil and settled weather to thrive, and is set back or killed by frost. It is half-hardy — it withstands light frost but should be protected from a hard freeze.
Borage needs full sun — give it at least six hours of direct light a day for the best growth and flavor. Sow seed about 0.5 inches deep, then keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings establish.
Borage belongs to the Boraginaceae family; rotating where you grow members of this family each year helps limit the build-up of soil-borne pests and disease. Borage is generally grown as a single planting each season rather than succession sown.
Companion Plants
Pairing Borage with the right neighbors can improve growth and deter pests; a few combinations are best avoided.
Grows well with: Strawberry, Tomato, Squash (Companion Reference)
Growing Notes
Edible flowers; strong pollinator attractant. Also a companion flower.