Borage in Zone 5B — Great Plains

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Great Plains garden. Its edible blue flowers and cucumber-flavored leaves add a unique twist to salads and drinks, plus it attracts pollinators like crazy. Given our intense sunshine, borage really thrives here, offering beauty and usefulness all season long.

Our region's extreme weather can be a challenge, with temperature swings and the occasional hail risk. But with a 178-day growing season, you'll find plenty of time to grow borage successfully. Timing is key, and we'll walk you through it.

You can transplant borage outdoors from early April through early May. Start your seeds indoors a few weeks before, if you want a head start. Just be sure to harden them off by gradually exposing them to the outdoor elements for about a week before planting.

When transplanting, space them 12-18 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as late frosts are still possible that time of year. Wind protection is essential for young plants, so consider using row covers or planting near a fence.

Direct sowing is the preferred method for borage. You can sow seeds outdoors from mid-April through early August. Borage is easy to direct sow and self-seeds readily, so expect volunteers in future years!

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Borage prefers soil temperatures around 60-70°F for optimal germination. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our hot Plains summers. While it's relatively easy-going, it's not truly drought-tolerant, so don't let it dry out completely. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall and temperature.

During the hottest part of the summer, aim to water deeply about once a week, providing around 1 inch of water. Use the finger test to check soil moisture: stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In spring and fall, you might only need to water every 10-14 days, depending on rainfall.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage powdery mildew in our low-to-moderate humidity. Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot.

You can expect your first borage harvest starting in mid-June and continuing through late October. Borage is ready to harvest about 55 days after sowing. Look for the star-shaped blue flowers to be fully open and the young leaves to be a good size.

To harvest, gently snip off the flowers or leaves with scissors or pruners. Avoid pulling or tearing, which can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

As the first frost approaches in mid- October, harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. Borage doesn't tolerate frost well, so it's best to collect everything before it gets damaged. Let some flowers go to seed if you want 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 you don't want them.
• What causes it: Borage is a prolific self-seeder. Once the flowers mature, they drop seeds that readily germinate.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed. Pull 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. 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, especially lower down.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure borage receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Thin plants to provide adequate spacing. Pinch back the tips of stems to encourage bushier growth.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: Our region's variable rainfall can make consistent watering tricky. Watch the weather closely and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. The intense summer heat can also stress borage, so provide some afternoon shade if possible, especially for younger plants.

Borage makes a great companion plant for many garden vegetables in the Great Plains. It attracts pollinators, which benefits fruiting plants like tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. Borage is especially helpful for:

• Tomatoes: Borage is said to deter tomato hornworms.
• Squash: Attracts pollinators to improve fruit set.
• Strawberries: Borage is thought to improve the flavor and growth of strawberries.
• Cucumbers: Attracts pollinators and may deter cucumber beetles.

There aren't any significant bad companions for borage. It's a fairly easy-going plant that gets along well with most neighbors.