Borage in Zone 8A — Florida

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. The star-shaped blue flowers are not only beautiful, but they also attract pollinators to your veggie patch. Plus, the young leaves have a refreshing cucumber-like flavor, perfect for adding a unique twist to summer salads.

Our Florida gardening calendar is different, and borage is a great example. While some plants struggle in our hot, humid summers, borage thrives when planted at the right time. With our long 283-day growing season, you can successfully grow borage if you plan accordingly.

If you're starting borage indoors, aim to transplant seedlings outdoors from mid February through mid March. This gives the plants a head start before the full force of the Florida heat hits. Remember to harden off your seedlings for about a week before transplanting, gradually exposing them to the outdoor elements.

Space your borage plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which is crucial in our humid climate. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as unexpected late cold snaps can still occur during this time. Be prepared to cover your young plants if temperatures dip near freezing.

Direct sowing is the preferred method for borage, and it's super easy. You can sow seeds directly into your garden bed from late February through late September. Borage germinates best when the soil temperature is around 60-70°F, so aim for the warmer parts of that window for best results.

Prepare your soil by loosening it and adding some compost. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes about 7-14 days. Borage self-seeds readily, so be prepared to have new plants pop up in your garden!

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our hot, dry spells. While it's a pretty easy-going plant, it doesn't tolerate drought well, particularly when it's young. Remember, our sandy soil drains quickly, so consistent monitoring is key.

During the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, aim to water your borage about 1 inch per week, including rainfall. In the heat of summer, you might need to increase that to 1.5-2 inches, especially if you're not getting much rain. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so make sure your soil is well-draining. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, while wilting leaves indicate underwatering. A layer of mulch around your borage plants will help retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is always a plus in a Florida garden.

You can expect your first harvest of borage flowers and leaves starting in late April and continuing through mid December. The key is to start harvesting when the star-shaped blue flowers are fully open. These are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators.

Snip off the flowers or young leaves carefully with scissors or pruners. For the leaves, harvest the younger ones, as they are more tender and have a milder cucumber flavor. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the season.

As we approach our first frost around early December, you can still harvest any remaining flowers and leaves. Let some of the plants go to seed if you want them to self-sow for the following year. You can also collect the seeds to sow in other areas of your garden.

Borage is generally easy to grow, but here are a few common problems we see in Florida:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage plants popping up everywhere in your garden, even where you didn't plant them.
• What causes it: Borage is a prolific self-seeder. The seeds drop and germinate easily, especially in our warm, moist climate.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead the flowers before they go to seed. Or, allow some to self-seed, but be prepared to thin out the seedlings as needed. 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 curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Various fungi thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity – conditions we often experience in Florida, especially during the shoulder seasons. Dry leaf surfaces actually favor it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning. Remove affected leaves promptly. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays can help. A milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) can also be effective.

Can Become Leggy

• What it looks like: Tall, spindly plants with few leaves, especially lower down on the plant.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your borage plants get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. If they're overcrowded, thin them out to allow for better air circulation and light penetration.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers can exacerbate fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Regular monitoring and good air circulation are crucial. Also, nematodes can be a problem in our sandy soil. Adding plenty of organic matter to your soil can help improve its structure and suppress nematode populations.

Borage is a great companion plant for several vegetables in your Florida garden. It attracts pollinators, which benefit tomatoes, squash, strawberries, and cucumbers. It's said to deter tomato hornworms.

Avoid planting borage near fennel. Fennel can inhibit the growth of many plants, including borage. In general, borage is a friendly neighbor and can enhance the growth and flavor of many of your favorite crops.