Borage in Zone 7B — Pacific Northwest

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Pacific Northwest garden. The bright blue, star-shaped flowers are not only beautiful, but also attract pollinators to your veggie patch. Plus, the cucumber-like flavor of the leaves and flowers adds a unique touch to salads and drinks, perfect for those mild summer evenings.

While our springs can be a bit slow to warm up, and we sometimes struggle to get enough heat for certain crops, Borage is a relatively easy plant to grow here. With our 193-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy this versatile herb.

You can transplant Borage seedlings outdoors from early to late April. Make sure you harden them off first. Give them about a week of gradually increasing exposure to the outdoors.

Space your Borage plants about 12-18 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as we can still get some chilly nights and even a late frost around that time. A little row cover protection can't hurt if there's an unexpected cold snap.

Direct sowing is the preferred method for Borage. From mid-April through mid-August, sow seeds directly into your garden bed. Borage is easy to direct sow and self-seeds readily, so be prepared for volunteers!

Prepare your soil by loosening it and removing any large clumps. Borage isn't too picky, but well-drained soil is always best. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes about a week or two.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our dry summer months. While it's relatively easy-going, it's not particularly drought-tolerant.

During our wet springs, you probably won't need to water much at all. Once the dry summer months hit, check the soil moisture regularly. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Generally, give your Borage plants about 1 inch of water per week during the dry season. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage powdery mildew in our climate. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so make sure the soil is well-draining. Underwatering will cause the leaves to wilt and turn yellow. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

You can expect your first harvest of Borage flowers and leaves from early June through early November. Borage matures quickly, so you'll be enjoying those cucumber-flavored treats in no time.

Harvest the star-shaped blue flowers when they are fully open. For the leaves, pick young ones for the best flavor. Use scissors or snips to harvest, being careful not to damage the rest of the plant. Regular harvesting will encourage more flower and leaf production.

As the first frost approaches in late October, you can harvest any remaining flowers and leaves to use fresh or dry for later use. Borage self-seeds readily, so you might even get a few volunteer plants popping up next spring!

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

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden and surrounding areas.
• What causes it: Borage is a prolific self-seeder. The seeds readily drop and germinate.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed. Remove unwanted seedlings promptly. Consider growing it in a contained area.

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). Our dry summer months can actually create ideal conditions.
• 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 fewer leaves and flowers at the bottom.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause Borage to stretch towards the light.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your Borage plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Thin out plants to provide adequate spacing. Prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Pacific Northwest Specific Challenges: Our mild summers and dry-summer humidity can actually favor powdery mildew, so keep an eye out for that. Late blight is less of a concern for Borage than for tomatoes and potatoes, but it's always a good idea to practice good garden hygiene. Slugs can be a nuisance, especially for young seedlings, so use your preferred slug control methods.

Borage is a great companion plant for several vegetables and herbs in the Pacific Northwest.

Good companions:

• Tomatoes: Borage attracts beneficial insects that can help pollinate tomato flowers, leading to better fruit set.
• Squash: Borage can deter squash bugs and vine borers.
• Strawberries: Borage is said to improve the flavor and growth of strawberries.
• Cucumber: Since Borage tastes like cucumber, it helps to grow them near each other.

Bad companions:

• Avoid planting Borage near brassicas like cabbage and broccoli. It can attract cabbage moths that will then attack these crops.