Borage in Zone 9B — Texas

Borage is a fantastic addition to any Texas garden. Its delicate cucumber flavor adds a unique twist to salads and drinks, plus the cheerful blue flowers attract pollinators like crazy. And let's be honest, there's real satisfaction in growing something so pretty and useful, especially when you're battling the Texas heat.

Our unpredictable weather can be a challenge, but borage is a surprisingly resilient plant. With a little planning, you can enjoy a long harvest window in our 308-day growing season. It's all about knowing when to plant.

If you're starting borage from transplants, aim to get them in the ground late January through mid February. This gives them a head start before the real heat kicks in.

Before planting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Texas sunshine and wind. Space them 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. While borage is frost hardy, a sudden freeze can still set them back. Be ready to cover them if necessary.

Direct sowing is the easiest way to grow borage, and it's what I recommend for Texas gardeners. You can sow seeds directly into the garden from early February through early October. That's a long 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 good drainage is always a plus. Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. Water gently but thoroughly. Borage is easy to direct sow and self-seeds readily, so be prepared for volunteers!

Borage needs moderate watering, especially during our hot Texas summers. While it's fairly easy-going, it's not drought-tolerant, so don't neglect it.

During the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, water deeply about once a week, providing about an inch of water. In the heat of summer, you might need to water every other day, or even daily, depending on rainfall and humidity. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases, especially with our variable humidity. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch, like shredded hardwood, helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is crucial in our climate.

You can expect your first borage harvest around early April through mid December, about 55 days after planting. The star-shaped blue flowers are ready to harvest when they're fully open.

Snip off the flowers or young leaves as needed. The leaves taste best when they're young and tender. Regular harvesting encourages more flower production. To harvest, use scissors or snips to cut the stems just above a leaf node.

As our first frost approaches in early December, you can let the last flowers go to seed if you want volunteers next year. Otherwise, pull up the plants and add them to your compost pile.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with borage in Texas:

Self-Seeding Aggressively

• What it looks like: Borage popping up everywhere in your garden, even where you didn't plant it.
• What causes it: Borage readily self-seeds, and our long growing season gives it plenty of time to spread its seeds.
• How to fix/prevent it: Deadhead flowers before they go to seed, or pull up unwanted seedlings as they appear.

Powdery Mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems. Leaves curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces actually favor it.
• 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: Long, bare stems with sparse leaves, especially towards the base of the plant.
• What causes it: Insufficient sunlight or overcrowding can cause borage to stretch towards the light, resulting in leggy growth.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your borage plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Space them adequately to allow for good air circulation and light penetration. You can also prune back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.

Texas Specific Challenges: The combination of hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall can stress borage plants, making them more susceptible to powdery mildew and other problems. Consistent watering and good air circulation are key to keeping your borage healthy in our challenging climate. And watch out for those fire ants!

Borage is a great companion plant for several vegetables and herbs in your Texas garden. Plant it near tomatoes to deter tomato hornworms and improve pollination. It also does well with squash and cucumbers, attracting pollinators that increase fruit production. Strawberries benefit from borage as well, as it repels certain pests. I wouldn't plant it near anything that needs very dry conditions, since borage likes moderate moisture.