Borage in Zone 4A — Great Plains

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Great Plains garden. The cucumber-like flavor of the young leaves and the beautiful, edible blue flowers add a unique touch to your meals. Plus, watching those pollinators flock to your borage in our intense Plains sunshine is incredibly rewarding.

Our region definitely throws some curveballs with extreme temperature swings and the occasional hail storm. But with a 138-day growing season and by paying attention to timing, you can successfully grow borage and enjoy its benefits.

If you're starting borage indoors, transplanting seedlings outdoors from late April through late May gives them a head start. Remember to harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week before planting. This helps them adjust to our variable Plains weather.

Space your borage plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which is important to prevent disease. Keep an eye on the forecast for late frosts – a sudden cold snap can set back young plants.

Direct sowing borage is the most common and arguably easiest way to grow it in the Great Plains. Sow seeds directly into the garden from early May through mid July, once the soil has warmed up a bit. Borage prefers soil temperatures around 60-70°F for optimal germination.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and amending with compost. Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Borage is easy to direct sow and self-seeds readily, so be prepared for volunteers next year!

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our hot Plains summers. While it's a fairly easy-going plant, it's not particularly drought-tolerant, so consistent moisture is key.

In the spring, when temperatures are milder and rainfall is more frequent, you may only need to water once or twice a week. As the summer heat kicks in, increase watering to 2-3 times a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Use the "finger test" – if the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, it's time to water.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our low-to-moderate humidity. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Wilting leaves indicate underwatering, while yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering.

You can expect your first borage harvest from early July through early October, about 55 days after planting. The star-shaped blue flowers are ready to harvest when they are fully open. The young leaves are also edible and have a refreshing cucumber flavor.

To harvest the flowers, simply snip them off the stem. For the leaves, harvest the younger, tender leaves for the best flavor. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the season.

As the first frost approaches in late September, harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. You can also let some of the plants go to seed to ensure you have volunteers next year.

Here are some 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 spring.
• What causes it: Borage is a prolific self-seeder, and the seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed. Remove unwanted seedlings as they appear. Consider growing borage in containers to limit its spread.

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.
• 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. The plant may appear weak and floppy.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause borage to become leggy.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure borage receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Thin out plants to provide adequate spacing. Prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: The hot heat of Plains summers can stress borage, making it more susceptible to powdery mildew. Variable rainfall can also make it challenging to maintain consistent soil moisture. Monitor your plants closely and adjust your watering schedule as needed.

Borage is a great companion plant for several vegetables and herbs in the Great Plains garden. It attracts beneficial insects like bees and hoverflies, which help pollinate other plants.

Good companions:

• Tomato: Borage is said to deter tomato hornworms.
• Squash: Borage can help repel squash bugs.
• Strawberry: Borage is thought to improve the flavor of strawberries.
• Cucumber: Growing borage near cucumbers can attract pollinators and increase yields.

Avoid planting borage near plants that require very dry soil, as it prefers moderate moisture.