Borage in Zone 10B — Florida

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. Its edible, cucumber-flavored leaves and beautiful blue flowers add a unique touch to salads and drinks. Plus, it's a pollinator magnet, drawing beneficial insects to your garden, which is always a win in our subtropical climate.

While Florida gardening has its challenges, like humidity and nematodes, borage is surprisingly adaptable. With our long, nearly year-round growing season, you can easily find a window to grow this herb successfully. Just plan your planting around the hottest part of summer.

You can transplant borage seedlings outdoors from late December through mid January here in Florida. This timing allows the plants to establish themselves before the heat of late spring and summer arrives.

Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind. Space them 12-18 inches apart to give them room to grow.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast for any unexpected cold snaps during this time. Even though borage is frost-hardy, young transplants can still be vulnerable.

Direct sowing is the preferred method for borage, and thankfully, it's super easy! You can sow seeds directly into your garden beds from early January through late October in Florida.

Prepare your soil by loosening it and adding some compost to improve drainage and fertility. Borage isn't too picky about soil, but it does appreciate well-draining conditions. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes about a week or two. Borage self-seeds readily, so be prepared for volunteers!

Borage needs moderate watering, especially here in Florida's humid climate. While it's fairly easygoing, consistent moisture is key, particularly when plants are young and establishing.

During the cooler, drier months of fall and winter, aim to water deeply once or twice a week, providing about an inch of water each time. Use the finger test: stick your finger about two inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In the hotter, wetter summer months, you might not need to water as often, as our frequent rains usually take care of it. However, be sure to check the soil moisture regularly, especially during dry spells.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid environment. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around your borage plants with a few inches of pine straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is always a plus in Florida gardens.

You can expect your first borage harvest starting in early March and continuing through early January in Zone 10B. Borage is ready to harvest about 55 days after sowing.

Harvest the star-shaped blue flowers when they are fully open. The young leaves are also edible and have a refreshing cucumber flavor. To harvest, simply snip off the flowers or leaves with scissors or your fingers. Be gentle to avoid damaging the plant.

Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the growing season. As late December approaches and our first frost threatens, you can harvest any remaining flowers and leaves to enjoy before the plant slows down.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with borage in Florida:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden, even where you didn't plant them.
• What causes it: Borage readily self-seeds, especially in our long growing season. The seeds are easily dispersed by wind and animals.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed to prevent unwanted seedlings. If you don't mind volunteers, simply thin them out as needed.

Powdery Mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems, and sometimes fruit. Leaves curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Various fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces actually favor it, which can be a problem during our drier spring and fall.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Remove affected leaves. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays help. Milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) is surprisingly effective.

Can Become Leggy

• What it looks like: Long, spindly stems with fewer leaves, especially towards the base of the plant.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause borage to become leggy as it reaches for more light.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your borage plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Thin out plants to provide adequate spacing and improve air circulation.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and wet-summer rainfall can exacerbate fungal diseases like powdery mildew. The humidity also encourages rapid growth, which can lead to borage becoming leggy if not properly managed. Keep a close eye on your plants and take preventative measures to combat these challenges.

Borage makes a great companion plant for several vegetables and herbs in your Florida garden. Plant it near tomatoes to deter tomato hornworms. It also attracts pollinators to squash and cucumbers, increasing yields. Borage is also said to improve the flavor of strawberries when planted nearby.

Avoid planting borage near fennel, as they can inhibit each other's growth.