Borage

Borage prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 and requires full sun to partial shade to thrive. The plant can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to clay, as long as it's well-draining. Borage also prefers consistent moisture but can tolerate some drought once established. It's best to sow the seeds directly in the garden after the last frost, as the plant does not transplant well. Borage can also self-seed readily, and the new plants will often appear in unexpected locations.

After danger of frost has passed, sow seeds 6" apart, ¼” deep in rows 12-18” apart. Under ideal conditions, germination will occur in 7-14 days.  Does not transplant well.

Not recommended

Insect Pests

Diseases & Other Problems

To harvest borage, wait until the flowers have fully bloomed, and then cut the stems off at the base of the plant. The leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried for culinary or medicinal purposes. To dry the leaves and flowers, hang them upside down in a warm, dry location until they are completely dry and brittle. Once the leaves and flowers are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark location. Borage seeds can also be harvested for use in cooking or planting. Allow the flowers to dry on the plant, and then crush them to separate the seeds from the chaff. Store the seeds in a cool, dry location until you are ready to use them.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Borage is self-fertile, meaning that it can pollinate itself, and is not prone to cross-pollination with other plant species. As a result, it is not necessary to isolate borage from other plants to prevent cross-pollination. However, if you are saving seeds from your borage plants and want to ensure genetic purity, it's best to grow only one variety of borage at a time and to keep a distance of at least 1000 feet from other borage plants. This will prevent accidental cross-pollination and ensure that the seeds produced are true to the parent plant.

HARVESTING SEED:

To harvest borage seeds, wait until the flowers have wilted and turned brown on the plant. Cut the entire stem with the seed heads and place them in a paper bag. Hang the bag in a warm, dry location to dry for several days, or until the seed heads are completely dry and brittle. Once dry, crush the seed heads gently by hand to separate the seeds from the chaff. Use a sieve or strainer to remove any remaining chaff. Store the seeds in a cool, dry location in an airtight container until you are ready to use them.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Borage seeds can remain viable for up to 4-5 years if stored properly in a cool, dry location.