Borage in Zone 4B — Great Plains

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Great Plains garden. Its cucumber-flavored leaves and beautiful blue, star-shaped flowers are edible, attracting pollinators and adding a unique flavor to your salads and drinks. Plus, it's a relatively easy plant to grow, offering a rewarding experience even for novice gardeners in our region.

Sure, we face extreme weather, from hot, dry spells to the occasional hail storm. But Borage's quick maturity – about 55 days – means you can easily squeeze in a few plantings during our 149-day growing season. With a little planning, you can enjoy this delightful herb from late spring until the first frost.

If you're starting Borage indoors, transplanting outdoors should happen from late April through mid May. This gives the plants a chance to establish before the full heat of summer hits.

Before moving them to their final spot, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to the outdoors for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade, then slowly increase the sun exposure each day.

When transplanting, space them 12-18 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – a late frost or a bout of strong winds can be tough on young plants. Protect them with row covers if needed.

Direct sowing is the preferred and easiest method for growing Borage in the Great Plains. You can sow seeds directly into the garden from early May through late July. This gives you flexibility to stagger plantings for a longer harvest.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and prepare the soil by loosening it and adding compost. Borage isn't too picky, but good drainage helps. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes about a week. Borage self-seeds readily, so you might find volunteer plants popping up next year.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our hot Plains summers. While it's fairly easy-going, it's not particularly drought-tolerant. Consistent moisture is key for good growth and flowering.

During the peak of summer, especially when temperatures hit the 90s, check the soil moisture regularly. Stick your finger about two inches deep 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 encourage powdery mildew in our low-to-moderate humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Add a layer of mulch around your Borage plants to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Straw or wood chips work well in our region.

Your first Borage harvest should be around late June through early October, about 55 days after planting. Look for the star-shaped blue flowers to be fully open – these are edible and make a beautiful garnish.

You can also harvest the young leaves, which have a mild cucumber flavor. Simply snip off the leaves or flowers as needed. Be gentle to avoid damaging the plant.

To encourage continued production, regularly harvest the flowers and leaves. This prevents the plant from going to seed too quickly. As the first frost approaches in early October, harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. You can dry them for later use.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Borage in the Great Plains:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Numerous Borage seedlings popping up in unwanted areas of your garden.
• What causes it: Borage readily self-seeds, and our long growing season allows plenty of time for seeds to mature and spread.
• 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. Leaves curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Various fungi thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces favor it. Our temperature swings can contribute.
• 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 fewer leaves and flowers, often leaning over.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• 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 (12-18 inches). Prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: The hot heat and variable rainfall of the Great Plains can stress Borage plants, making them more susceptible to powdery mildew. Wind can also be a problem, causing leggy plants to topple over. Consistent watering and wind protection are essential for success.

Borage makes a great companion plant in the Great Plains garden. It's known to attract pollinators, which benefits many other plants.

Good companions include tomatoes, squash, strawberries, and cucumbers. Borage is thought to deter tomato hornworms and squash vine borers. It also improves the flavor and growth of strawberries and cucumbers. Avoid planting Borage near fennel, as they are not compatible. The intense sunshine of the Plains helps Borage bring out the best in its neighbors.