Borage in Zone 7A — Pacific Northwest

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Pacific Northwest garden. The edible blue flowers are beautiful in salads and attract pollinators, plus the cucumber-like flavor of the leaves adds a refreshing twist to summer dishes. It's a rewarding plant to grow in our mild summers and cool nights.

While we PNW gardeners deal with overcast spring days and sometimes struggle to get enough heat for warm-season crops, Borage thrives in our 183-day growing season. Direct sowing after the soil warms up makes it easy to manage, and the long, mild fall gives you plenty of time to enjoy its bounty.

If you choose to start Borage indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors from early April through early May. This gives them a head start before the dry summer months. Remember to harden off your seedlings for about a week by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Space your Borage plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for their bushy growth habit. Keep an eye on the weather forecast; those wet springs can bring unexpected cold snaps, so be prepared to cover young plants if necessary.

Direct sowing is the preferred and easiest method for growing Borage in the Pacific Northwest. Sow seeds mid April through mid August, ensuring the soil temperature is at least 60°F. Borage germinates readily, especially once the soil has warmed up a bit.

Prepare your soil by loosening it and adding some compost. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Borage is known to self-seed readily, so be prepared to manage volunteer seedlings in subsequent years.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our dry summer months. While it's an easy-going plant, it's not particularly drought-tolerant, so consistent moisture is key for healthy growth and abundant flowering.

During the wet springs, you probably won't need to water much at all. Once the dry summer kicks in, check the soil moisture regularly. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep; 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 unnecessarily, which can encourage powdery mildew in our climate.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot, so be mindful not to overdo it. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is especially helpful during our drier months.

You can expect your first Borage harvest starting mid June through late October, about 55 days after sowing. The star-shaped blue flowers are the main attraction, and they're ready to harvest when fully open. The young leaves are also edible and have a refreshing cucumber flavor.

To harvest the flowers, simply snip them off the plant with scissors or your fingers. For the leaves, harvest young, tender leaves for the best flavor. Regular harvesting encourages continuous production throughout the growing season.

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

Here are the top three problems you might encounter with Borage in the Pacific Northwest:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Numerous Borage seedlings popping up in unwanted areas of your garden.
• What causes it: Borage readily drops seeds, and they germinate easily in our mild, wet conditions.
• 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, and sometimes flowers. Leaves may 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.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. 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 sparse foliage, especially in shady locations.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight, especially during our overcast spring days.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant Borage in full sun to part shade. Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushier growth. Provide support if needed.

Pacific Northwest Specific Challenges: Our mild heat and dry-summer humidity generally favor Borage, but the potential for powdery mildew is something to watch out for. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent this. Late blight is not a common problem on Borage itself, but managing it in other plants like tomatoes and potatoes will reduce the overall disease pressure in your garden. Slugs can be a nuisance, especially for young seedlings, so use your preferred slug control methods.

Borage makes excellent companion plant in the Pacific Northwest garden.

• Tomatoes: Borage is said to deter tomato hornworms and other pests.
• Squash and Cucumber: It attracts pollinators, which are essential for squash and cucumber production.
• Strawberries: Borage may help deter strawberry pests and improve overall plant health.

Avoid planting Borage near plants that are susceptible to the same pests or diseases, but there aren't any specific "bad companions" that are particularly relevant in our PNW climate.