Borage in Zone 9B — Florida

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. The cucumber-like flavor of the leaves and the beautiful blue, star-shaped flowers make it both a culinary and ornamental delight. Plus, it attracts pollinators, which is always a win in our yards!

While Florida gardening has its challenges – humidity, nematodes, and the occasional hurricane – borage is surprisingly adaptable. With our long 344-day growing season, you can easily fit in multiple plantings of this fast-growing herb. Timing your planting right helps you avoid the worst of the summer heat.

Transplanting borage in Florida is best done during the cooler months, from early January through early February. This gives the plants a chance to establish themselves before the intense heat of summer arrives.

Before moving your seedlings outdoors, be sure to harden them off. Give them about a week of gradually increasing outdoor exposure. Start with an hour or two in a sheltered spot and slowly increase the time and sun exposure each day.

When transplanting, space your borage plants about 12-18 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather. This time of year in Florida can still bring unexpected cold snaps. Be prepared to cover your young plants if temperatures dip too low.

Direct sowing is the preferred and easiest method for growing borage in Florida. Borage resents root disturbance, so getting it right in the ground is ideal. Plus, it self-seeds readily, so once you have it established, you'll likely have new plants popping up each year.

Sow borage seeds directly into your garden from mid January through late October. Aim for soil temperatures between 60°F and 70°F for best germination. Prepare your soil by loosening it and adding compost to improve drainage. While borage isn't too picky, our sandy Florida soil benefits from the added organic matter.

Plant seeds about ½ inch deep and space them 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge, which usually takes about a week. Borage germinates easily, so you should see sprouts within a few days. Thin to the strongest plant per spot, if necessary.

Borage needs moderate watering, especially in Florida's climate. While it's relatively easy-going, it's not drought-tolerant and won't thrive if neglected.

During the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, water deeply once or twice a week. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In the heat of summer, you might need to water more frequently, especially if it hasn't rained.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A layer of mulch around your borage plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is always helpful in Florida.

You can expect your first borage harvest about 55 days after planting. This means if you sow in mid-March, you could be harvesting by mid-May! In our climate, that first harvest could even come earlier. With successive sowing, you can harvest until late December.

Harvest the star-shaped blue flowers when they are fully open. The young leaves are also edible and have a refreshing cucumber flavor. Harvest them when they are young and tender, before they become too hairy.

To harvest, simply snip off the flowers or leaves with scissors or your fingers. Be gentle to avoid damaging the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As late December approaches, harvest any remaining flowers and leaves before our first frost potentially hits.

Borage is generally easy to grow, but here are a few common problems you might encounter in Florida:

Self-seeding aggressively

• What it looks like: Volunteer borage plants popping up everywhere in your garden.
• What causes it: Borage readily self-seeds, especially in our long growing season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed if you want to control its spread. You can also transplant volunteer seedlings to desired locations.

Powdery mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves and stems.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity, all too common in Florida during spring and fall.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately. Remove affected leaves promptly. Apply neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays. A milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) can also be effective.

Can become leggy

• What it looks like: Long, spindly stems with fewer leaves, especially if not enough sun.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight can cause borage to stretch and become leggy.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your borage plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and wet-summer rainfall can create ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Good air circulation and proper watering are key to keeping your borage healthy. Nematodes can also be a problem in our sandy soil. Amend your soil with plenty of organic matter and consider using nematode-resistant varieties if nematodes are a recurring issue in your garden.

Borage makes a great companion plant in the Florida garden.

Good companions include:

• Tomatoes: Borage is said to deter tomato hornworms and other pests that plague tomatoes.
• Squash: It attracts pollinators, which are essential for squash production.
• Strawberries: Borage can help deter pests that attack strawberries.
• Cucumbers: The cucumber flavor of borage leaves complements cucumbers in salads and drinks.

I wouldn't recommend planting borage near anything that is particularly susceptible to powdery mildew, as it can sometimes exacerbate the problem.