Borage in Zone 3B — Great Plains

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Great Plains garden. The star-shaped blue flowers are not only beautiful, but they're also edible and attract pollinators to your tomatoes and squash. Plus, the young leaves have a refreshing cucumber-like flavor that's perfect for summer salads.

Our region's extreme weather can be a challenge, but borage is pretty adaptable. With a 118-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy this herb. Just remember, wind protection is essential for success.

You can transplant borage seedlings outdoors from early May through early June, after the risk of hard frost has passed. Before planting, be sure to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to our variable Plains weather.

Space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the forecast for any late frosts or unexpected temperature swings, and cover your seedlings if necessary. Wind protection is also a good idea, especially for young plants.

Direct sowing is the preferred method for borage, as it doesn't love being transplanted. Sow seeds from mid May through early July. Borage self-seeds readily, so you may have volunteers popping up the following year.

To direct sow, prepare a garden bed with loose, well-draining soil. Borage isn't too fussy about soil, but it does appreciate some compost mixed in. Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes about a week.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our hot Plains summers. While it's not particularly drought-tolerant, it's also not a fan of soggy soil. Finding the right balance is key.

A good rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall. Use the "finger test" to check the soil moisture: stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can increase the risk of powdery mildew in our low-to-moderate humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around the base of the plant with straw or wood chips can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful during those extreme temperature swings we often experience.

You can expect your first borage harvest from mid July through late September, about 55 days after sowing. The star-shaped blue flowers are the main attraction, and they're ready to harvest when fully open. The young leaves are also edible and have a mild cucumber flavor.

To harvest the flowers, simply snip them off with scissors or your fingers. For the leaves, harvest them when they're young and tender, as they can become prickly as they mature. Regularly harvesting the flowers and leaves will encourage continued production throughout the season.

As our first frost approaches in mid- September, you can still harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. If you want to save seeds for next year, allow some of the flowers to dry on the plant. Borage self-seeds readily, so you'll likely have plenty of volunteers popping up next spring.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with borage in the Great Plains:

Self-seeding aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden the following year, even in places you didn't plant them.
• What causes it: Borage is a prolific self-seeder. The seeds are easily dispersed by wind and animals.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead the flowers before they go to seed. If you want to save seeds, only allow a few flowers to mature. Remove any unwanted seedlings as soon as you see them.

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 (unlike most fungi).
• 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: Tall, spindly plants with few leaves and weak stems.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Thin out seedlings to provide adequate spacing. You can also pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage bushier growth.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: The hot heat of our summers, combined with variable rainfall and periods of drought, can stress borage plants. Make sure to provide adequate water and wind protection, especially during those extreme temperature swings.

Borage is a great companion plant for several vegetables in the Great Plains garden. It attracts pollinators, which can improve fruit set in tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. It's also said to deter certain pests, such as tomato hornworms.

Good companions:

• Tomato: Borage attracts pollinators and may deter tomato hornworms.
• Squash: Attracts pollinators for better fruit set.
• Strawberry: Said to improve strawberry flavor and deter pests.
• Cucumber: Attracts pollinators and may improve growth.

Avoid planting borage near plants that are susceptible to powdery mildew, as it can sometimes spread the disease.