Borage in Zone 7A — Texas

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Texas garden. The cucumber-like flavor of the leaves and the beautiful star-shaped blue flowers make it a treat to grow. Plus, it attracts pollinators, which is always a win in our gardens.

Texas weather can be unpredictable, but don't let that scare you off. Borage is pretty adaptable, and with our long 245-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to get a crop in. Just keep an eye on the forecast!

You can transplant borage seedlings outdoors from early to late March here in Texas. Before you put them in the ground, be sure to harden them off. Give them about a week of gradually increasing outdoor exposure so they can get used to our Texas sun and wind.

When you're ready to plant, space them about 12-18 inches apart. Keep an eye out for late freezes around this time of year. A frost blanket can be a lifesaver if the unpredictable weather turns cold again.

Direct sowing is the way to go with borage, and it's easy. You can sow seeds from mid-March through early September. That gives you a long window, so you can even do succession planting for a continuous supply.

Just rake the soil to loosen it up and make sure it’s warmed up a bit. Plant the seeds about ½ inch deep, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Borage self-seeds readily, so be prepared to have it pop up in unexpected places!

Borage needs moderate watering to thrive here in Texas. With our hot-to-extreme summers, keeping the soil consistently moist is important, but you don't want it soggy.

During the hottest parts of the summer, you might need to water every other day, or even daily if it hasn't rained. Use the finger test: stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. 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 usually best to water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, especially with our variable humidity.

If the leaves start to wilt and turn yellow, you're likely overwatering. If they're dry and crispy, it's underwatering. A good layer of mulch around the base of the plants will help retain moisture and keep the soil cooler during the heat of the summer, which is a must-do in Texas.

You can expect your first harvest of borage flowers and leaves from early May through late November in Texas. With a little planning, you could harvest almost year-round. The star-shaped blue flowers are ready to harvest when they are fully open and vibrant.

To harvest, gently snip off the flowers or leaves with scissors or pruning shears. Be careful not to damage the main stem. Regular harvesting encourages more flower and leaf production, so keep at it! As our first frost approaches around mid-November, harvest any remaining flowers and leaves to dry or use fresh. The plant might slow down or stop producing once the temperatures drop.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing borage in Texas:

Self-seeding aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden where you didn't plant them.
• What causes it: Borage is a prolific self-seeder. The seeds drop and germinate easily, spreading the plant around.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead the flowers before they go to seed. Remove 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 and stems. Leaves might curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity – conditions we often see in Texas, especially in spring and fall. Dry leaf surfaces favor it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning. Remove affected leaves. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays can help. Milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) is also effective.

Can become leggy

• What it looks like: Tall, spindly plants with fewer leaves and flowers near the base.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or too much shade. Borage needs at least partial sun to thrive.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant in a location that gets full sun to part shade. Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushier growth.

Texas Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme Texas heat can stress borage, making it more susceptible to powdery mildew and causing it to bolt (go to seed) prematurely. Variable humidity and unpredictable rainfall can also create challenges in managing watering needs.

Borage is a great companion plant for several garden vegetables in Texas. It attracts pollinators, which are essential for tomatoes, squash, strawberries, and cucumbers. It can also deter some pests.

Planting borage near tomatoes helps to deter tomato hornworms. Borage near squash attracts beneficial insects that prey on squash bugs. It's a win-win! There aren't any well-known bad companions for borage, so you can plant it freely around your garden.