Borage in Zone 6A — Midwest

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Midwest garden. Its beautiful blue star-shaped flowers are not only edible and delicious with a cucumber-like flavor, but they attract pollinators to help your tomatoes and squash thrive during our warm summers. Plus, it's incredibly satisfying to grow something so useful and pretty!

While our Midwest weather can be unpredictable with temperature swings in spring and summer heat spells, Borage is fairly adaptable, and with a 178-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it. Just watch for late frost and plan accordingly.

If you choose to start Borage indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors in early April through early May, once the soil has warmed up a bit. Be sure to harden them off for about a week before transplanting. Gradually expose them to the outdoor elements a little longer each day.

Space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart, giving them room to bush out. Keep an eye on the Midwest weather forecast – a sudden cold snap can still happen, so be prepared to cover your young plants if needed.

Direct sowing is the easiest and most common way to grow Borage here in the Midwest. Sow seeds mid April through early August, giving you a long window for successive plantings. Borage is easy to direct sow and self-seeds readily.

Prepare your soil by loosening it and removing any large clumps. Borage isn't too picky, but a well-draining spot is best. 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 or two, depending on soil temperature. A soil temp of 60-70°F is ideal.

Borage prefers moderate watering, which fits well with our Midwest climate. We tend to get decent rainfall here during the summer, so you likely won't need to water constantly. The key is to monitor the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

A good way to check is the "finger test": stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. During summer heat spells, you might need to increase watering slightly. Given our moderate-to-humid summers, it's best to water at the base of the plant to avoid creating overly moist conditions that can encourage fungal diseases.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful during those summer heat spells.

You can expect your first Borage harvest starting in mid June, and it can continue through late October. Borage is ready to harvest around 55 days after planting. Look for the star-shaped blue flowers to be fully open – these are the most flavorful and visually appealing.

Harvest the flowers by snipping them off with scissors or gently plucking them. For the leaves, harvest young ones for the best cucumber flavor. Simply snip them off near the base of the plant. To encourage continued production, regularly harvest the flowers and leaves.

As our first frost approaches in mid- October, you can still harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. Consider letting some of the last flowers go to seed if you want Borage to self-sow for next year.

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

Self-seeding aggressively

• What it looks like: Numerous Borage seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden the following spring.
• What causes it: Borage readily drops its seeds, and with our fertile soil, they germinate easily.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers regularly to prevent seed formation. If you want some self-seeding, allow a few flowers to mature, then remove the rest before they drop seeds. You can also collect the seeds and sow them where you want them.

Powdery mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems. Leaves may curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Various fungi thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity – conditions we often experience in the Midwest during the summer. Dry leaf surfaces favor it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning if necessary. Remove affected leaves promptly. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays can help. A 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 at the base.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your Borage receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Space plants adequately (12-18 inches apart). Pinch back the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

Midwest Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers and moderate-to-humid conditions can create a favorable environment for powdery mildew. Be sure to provide good air circulation and monitor your plants regularly. The wet-summer rainfall can also contribute to fungal issues, so avoid overhead watering whenever possible.

Borage makes a great companion plant in the Midwest garden. It attracts pollinators, benefiting tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers by increasing fruit set. Plant it near strawberries, as it is believed to deter pests.

Avoid planting Borage near fennel. It can inhibit the growth of many plants, and Borage is no exception.