Borage in Zone 9A — Florida

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. Its star-shaped blue flowers are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators, making it a great companion plant for your tomatoes and squash. Plus, the young leaves have a refreshing cucumber-like flavor, perfect for adding to summer salads or cooling drinks during those hot days.

While Florida gardening does come with its unique challenges, like humidity and nematodes, borage is fairly adaptable. With our long growing season, stretching nearly year-round, you have plenty of opportunities to get a crop going. Just keep an eye on the weather and adjust your care accordingly.

While borage thrives best when direct-sown, you can start seeds indoors and transplant them outdoors during mid January through mid February if you prefer. This gives the plants a head start before the real heat kicks in.

Before transplanting, be sure to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This will help them adjust to the Florida sunshine and humidity. Space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart to give them room to grow.

Keep an eye on the forecast, as unexpected cold snaps can occur even in Florida during this time. Provide protection if temperatures dip too low.

Direct sowing borage is the easiest way to get it growing in your Florida garden. You can sow seeds directly into the soil from early February through mid October. It's pretty forgiving, so you have a wide window.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade, and prepare the soil by loosening it and adding some compost. Borage isn't too picky but likes well-draining soil. Sow seeds about ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Borage is known to self-seed readily, so be prepared for volunteers!

Borage needs moderate watering to thrive in our Florida climate. During the hotter, drier parts of the year, especially in spring before the summer rains kick in, you'll need to water more frequently.

A good rule of thumb is to check the soil about two inches deep – if it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Watering at the base of the plant is preferable to overhead watering, especially with our high humidity, as it helps prevent fungal diseases.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so watch out for yellowing leaves. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is especially helpful in our sandy soils.

You can expect your first harvest of borage leaves and flowers around late March through early January, about 55 days after sowing. The star-shaped blue flowers are ready to harvest when they are fully open and vibrant.

Harvest the young leaves when they are tender and have a mild, cucumber-like flavor. To harvest, simply snip off the flowers or leaves with scissors or your fingers. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

As we approach late December and the possibility of a frost, you can continue to harvest as long as the plant is producing. Even if a frost nips the plant, it may bounce back with warmer weather.

Here are some common issues you might encounter with borage in your Florida garden:

Self-seeding aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden, even where you didn't plant them.
• What causes it: Borage readily drops its seeds, and our long growing season allows them to germinate easily.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed, or be prepared to pull out unwanted seedlings. You can also collect the seeds and use them in other parts of your garden.

Powdery mildew

• What it looks like: A white or grayish powdery coating on the leaves and stems.
• What causes it: High humidity and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for powdery mildew.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Remove affected leaves promptly. You can also try spraying with neem oil or a milk solution (1 part milk to 9 parts water).

Can become leggy

• What it looks like: Long, stretched stems with few leaves, especially if the plant isn't getting enough sunlight.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause borage to become leggy as it reaches for more light.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your borage is planted in a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Florida Specific Challenges: The combination of high heat and humidity in Florida can make borage more susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize these issues. Nematodes can also be a problem in our sandy soils. Consider planting borage in raised beds or containers with nematode-free soil.

Borage is a great companion plant for many vegetables and herbs in your Florida garden. It attracts pollinators, which can benefit your tomatoes, squash, strawberries, and cucumbers, leading to better fruit production.

It's generally considered a good neighbor, so there aren't any specific plants to avoid planting it with. Just make sure to give it enough space to grow without crowding its neighbors.