Borage in Zone 5A — Midwest

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Midwest garden. Its beautiful blue star-shaped flowers attract pollinators to your tomatoes and squash, and the cucumber-flavored leaves are a unique treat in salads. Plus, there's a real satisfaction in growing something a little different that thrives in our fertile soil and moderate summer heat.

While Midwest weather can be unpredictable, especially with late spring frosts and occasional summer heat spells, Borage is pretty forgiving. With our 157-day growing season, you have a wide window to get it established and enjoy its benefits. Timing is key, and we'll cover all the details to make sure your Borage patch is a success.

You can transplant Borage seedlings outdoors from mid April through mid May. Before transplanting, make sure to harden them off. Give them about a week of gradual exposure to the outdoors, starting with a few hours each day in a sheltered spot.

When transplanting, space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart. Keep an eye on the Midwest weather at this time, as we can still get some unexpected cold snaps or even a late frost. If a frost is predicted, cover your young plants to protect them.

Direct sowing is the easiest and most recommended way to grow Borage in the Midwest. You can sow seeds directly into your garden from early May through late July. Borage is a great choice if you're looking for a low-maintenance plant that can handle our Midwest summers.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Borage isn't too picky, but it prefers well-drained soil. Sow the seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Once established, Borage self-seeds readily, so be prepared for volunteers next year!

Borage prefers moderate watering, which fits well with our Midwest climate. During our wet summers, you might not need to water it much at all, but be sure to check during any summer heat spells. Borage is easy-going and will handle most conditions.

The best way to tell if your Borage needs water is the "finger test." Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

It's generally best to water at the base of the plant, especially with our moderate-to-humid Midwest summers. Overhead watering can increase the risk of fungal diseases. Mulching around your Borage plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is especially helpful during our variable Midwest weather. If the leaves start to wilt or turn yellow, you might be underwatering. If the leaves are constantly soggy and the plant seems droopy, you might be overwatering.

Your first harvest of Borage flowers and leaves should be from late June through mid October, about 55 days after sowing. Look for the star-shaped blue flowers to be fully open—that's when they're at their peak. The young leaves are also edible and have a refreshing cucumber flavor.

To harvest, simply snip off the flowers or leaves with scissors or pruners. Avoid pulling or tearing, which can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. The more you harvest, the more the plant will produce throughout the summer.

As our first frost approaches in early October here in the Midwest, consider harvesting any remaining flowers and leaves to dry for later use. You can also let some of the plants go to seed to ensure you have plenty of volunteers next year.

Borage is generally easy to grow, but here are three common problems you might encounter in the Midwest:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Numerous volunteer Borage plants popping up in unwanted areas of your garden.
• What causes it: Borage readily self-seeds, and the Midwest's fertile soil and adequate rainfall provide ideal conditions for germination.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed. Thin out unwanted seedlings as they appear. Consider growing Borage in a container 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 – common conditions in the Midwest. 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: Tall, spindly plants with sparse foliage, often leaning or falling over.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure Borage receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Space plants adequately (12-18 inches apart). Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushier growth.

Midwest Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summer heat and moderate-to-humid humidity can exacerbate powdery mildew issues, so good air circulation is crucial. While our wet-summer rainfall is generally beneficial, extended periods of rain can also contribute to fungal problems. Be sure to monitor your plants regularly and take action at the first sign of trouble.

Borage makes a great companion plant in the Midwest garden. It attracts pollinators, which benefit tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers, increasing fruit production. Planting it near strawberries is said to improve their disease resistance.

Avoid planting Borage near fennel, as they can inhibit each other's growth. In general, Borage is a welcome addition to most vegetable and herb gardens in the Midwest.