Borage in Zone 8B — Pacific Northwest

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Pacific Northwest garden. Its beautiful blue flowers are not only edible, adding a delicate cucumber flavor to salads and drinks, but they also attract pollinators to your garden. Plus, it's just plain satisfying to grow something so pretty and useful in our mild summer climate.

While we might not have the scorching heat some areas deal with, we do have our own challenges like cool springs and the occasional late blight scare. But don't worry, borage is fairly easy to grow here. With our long, mild fall, you can usually harvest well into October. The 210-day growing season gives you plenty of time.

If you're starting borage indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors from late March through mid April. This gives them a head start while avoiding the wettest part of our spring.

Before planting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with a few hours each day and slowly increase the time. Space them 12-18 inches apart in well-draining soil.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. We can still get some chilly nights and unexpected rain during this time, so protect your young plants if necessary with row covers or cloches.

Direct sowing is the easiest way to grow borage in our region. You can start sowing seeds directly into the garden from early April through late August. This gives you a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.

Prepare your soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Borage isn't too picky, but it prefers well-draining soil and a sunny spot. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Borage is known to self-seed readily, so be prepared to have volunteers popping up in your garden next year!

Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge, which usually takes about a week or two. Once they're established, thin them to the recommended spacing.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our dry summer months. Even though our summers are mild, we don't get much rain, so consistent watering is key.

A good rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. During the wetter spring and fall, you may not need to water as often.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can help prevent fungal diseases in our sometimes overcast spring days. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

You can expect your first harvest of borage flowers and leaves from late May through early November. Borage is ready to harvest about 55 days after sowing.

The star-shaped blue flowers are ready to harvest when they are fully open. The young leaves are also edible and have a mild cucumber flavor. Harvest leaves by snipping them off near the base of the plant.

To encourage continued production, harvest the flowers and leaves regularly. This prevents the plant from going to seed too quickly. As the first frost approaches in early November, you can harvest any remaining flowers and leaves to dry or freeze for later use.

Borage is generally easy to grow, but here are a few common problems you might encounter 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, especially in our mild climate with a long growing season.
• 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 flower buds. 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. Overcast spring days can create the perfect conditions.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately and pruning if necessary. 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 few leaves at the base.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant borage in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Thin plants to provide adequate spacing. Pinch back the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

Pacific Northwest Specific Challenges: Our mild summers and dry-summer humidity generally favor borage, but the overcast spring days can increase the risk of powdery mildew. Keep an eye on your plants and take preventative measures to ensure a healthy and productive harvest.

Borage is a great companion plant for many vegetables and herbs in the Pacific Northwest garden. It attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, and it's said to deter certain pests.

Good companions include tomatoes, squash, strawberries, and cucumbers. Borage is thought to improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes and strawberries. It also attracts pollinators that are essential for squash and cucumber production.

Avoid planting borage near onions or garlic, as they may inhibit its growth.