Borage in Zone 6A — Pacific Northwest

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Pacific Northwest garden. Its bright blue, star-shaped flowers are not only beautiful, but also attract pollinators to your tomatoes and squash. Plus, the cucumber-flavored leaves and edible flowers add a unique touch to salads and drinks.

While we might not have the long, hot summers that some plants crave, Borage is perfectly suited to our mild climate and cool nights. With a 148-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy this easy-to-grow herb.

You can transplant Borage seedlings outdoors from late April through late May. Before moving them to their final spot, be sure to harden them off for about a week. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions to prevent transplant shock.

Space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart to give them plenty of room to grow into their bushy form. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as we can still get some unexpected chilly spells during this time. A little row cover can provide extra protection if needed.

Direct sowing Borage is the easiest and most common method, and it works great in the Pacific Northwest. You can sow seeds directly into the garden from early May through late July. Borage is very easy to direct sow and self-seeds readily.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Sow the seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge, usually within a week or two.

Borage appreciates moderate watering, which fits well with our typical Pacific Northwest summers. While we have dry summer months, the overall humidity tends to stay low, so you don't have to worry as much about fungal diseases.

During the wet springs, you likely won't need to water at all unless you're experiencing an unusually dry spell. Once the dry summer months arrive, check the soil moisture regularly. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, watering at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and potentially root rot, though it's less common with Borage. Adding a layer of mulch, such as straw or wood chips, around the base of the plants will help retain moisture and suppress weeds, another plus in our often-overcast spring days.

In the Pacific Northwest, you can expect your first Borage harvest from early July through mid-October. The best time to harvest the star-shaped blue flowers is when they are fully open and vibrant. The young leaves are also edible and have a refreshing cucumber flavor.

To harvest the flowers, simply snip them off with scissors or your fingers. For the leaves, harvest them as needed, taking only a few from each plant at a time to encourage continued production. Regularly harvesting the flowers will also encourage the plant to keep blooming.

As the first frost approaches in early October, you can still harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. Consider letting a few plants go to seed to ensure you have volunteers popping up next spring.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing Borage in the Pacific Northwest:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Numerous Borage seedlings sprouting up in unwanted areas of your garden.
• What causes it: Borage readily self-seeds, and in our mild climate, the seeds can overwinter and germinate in spring.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed. Remove unwanted seedlings promptly. 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. Reduces plant vigor.
• 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. Plant resistant varieties.

Can Become Leggy

• What it looks like: Long, spindly stems with fewer leaves, especially towards the base of the plant.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause Borage to become leggy.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your Borage plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Space them adequately to prevent overcrowding. Prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Pacific Northwest Specific Challenges: While late blight is a concern for tomatoes and potatoes in our region, it doesn't directly affect Borage. The cool soil in spring can slow down initial growth, so be patient when direct sowing. Our dry-summer humidity helps minimize fungal issues on Borage compared to more humid climates.

Borage is a great companion plant for several vegetables in the Pacific Northwest garden. Plant it near tomatoes to attract pollinators and deter tomato hornworms. Borage also helps squash by attracting beneficial insects that prey on squash bugs and vine borers.

Strawberries also benefit from having Borage nearby, as it is thought to improve their flavor and vigor. Cucumber benefits from pollination from the Borage flowers. Avoid planting Borage near members of the cabbage family, as it may attract cabbage moths.