Do you want to grow your own borage?
Borage is a wonderful herb that can be used in many ways. It’s delicious and has many health benefits, too! The plant itself is beautiful with its blue flowers. You’ll love it!
If you want to learn more about growing borage, check out our website today! We have everything you need to know about how to grow this amazing herb yourself. Plus, we have lots of pictures so you can see what the plant looks like at different stages of growth. You won’t regret learning how easy it is to grow your own borage plants from seed!
Borage (Borago officinalis)
When is the best time of the year to plant Borage
The best time of the year to plant Borage is in the Spring. Borage should be planted in the spring because it likes cool weather and will not grow as well if planted during a hot summer. It also helps to ensure that the plant has time to establish before the heat of summer, which will make it more resilient to insects and pests.
In the early spring, seeds should be sown 1/8 inch deep and kept at a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After germination has occurred, which should occur within a couple of days to a week, plants can be placed outside in a lightly shaded area. The plants should not be left outdoors unless they have sufficient shade to avoid burning.
It is important to note that borage should be planted in a location with well-draining soil and exposed to six hours or more of sun per day. They are considered perennial plants, which means that they live for more than two years. This also means that you can save time next year by leaving some of the plants in the ground after harvesting. The plants will die back in the winter but will regrow the following spring.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Borage
Borage is a versatile plant that can be grown in many different types of gardens. If you’re looking for a plant that will attract bees and other pollinators to your garden, borage is a good choice. It’s also a good plant to grow if you’re trying to attract butterflies. Borage flowers are edible and can be used in salads or added to other dishes.
Borage is a perennial plant that will grow back each year. It can be grown in USDA zones 4 to 9. When growing borage, it’s important to plant it in a location where it will get plenty of suns. Borage needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
If you’re not sure where to plant borage in your garden, here are a few suggestions:
- In a flower bed near the house
- On a sunny hillside
- In a vegetable garden as an accent
- In a container on the deck or patio
- In a large outdoor tub
You can also plant borage in soil that has been amended with manure. You should choose to plant borage where you have at least six hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be well-drained and have a pH level of 6.0 to 7.5. Borage can also tolerate light shade, but it will not bloom as well in shady conditions.
Watering Borage
Your borage plant should be watered every day. When you water it, make sure that the soil around the roots of the plant is moist, but make sure not to overdo it by keeping your plant too wet or underwatering it. If you are unsure about how much water to give your plant, it is best to err on the side of caution and waterless.
Watering borage is especially important when the weather is hot and dry. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to water your plant more often than if you live in a humid climate.
Make sure to fertilize your borage plant once a month. Use a balanced fertilizer that is designed for herb plants. Borage needs nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow well.
How to Harvest Borage
Borage leaves, flowers, and stems can be harvested at any point. When harvesting the borage plant, cut the stem at the base of the stalk. The top leaves will fall off when you harvest the stem. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.
Borage flowers, stems, and leaves are used in cooking, but the blossoms are usually dried or used to. The flowers can be harvested by clipping the stem just above the flower. To harvest the leaves, pinch or cut them off at the base of the stalk.
Borage is a hardy plant and can tolerate light frost. However, it is best to harvest before a hard freeze. Frost will damage the borage plant.
Different Ways to Store Borage
The best way to store borage is in a jar with water and in the freezer. Sprinkle the leaves over salads, potatoes, or any other dish you would like to add texture or flavor too.
Think of borage as your “spice rack in a jar.”
Some other ways to store borage include:
- You can place it in a jar with water and leave the jar on the counter. Change out the water every three days or so, and check for any browning leaves. If you see any starting to go bad, either compost them or throw them away right away so they don’t contaminate the rest of the plant.
- You can dry the leaves and store them in a jar or container.
- You can freeze the leaves in ice cube trays, then pop them out and store them in a freezer bag or container. This is a great way to have borage on hand for smoothies, soups, and salads.
- You can put them in a jar with either olive or vegetable oil and leave the jar out on the counter until the leaves are nice and crispy before putting them away in an airtight container for up to two months. If you choose not to use oil, just fry up the leaves in a little butter, then let them cool before storing. This is a great way to enjoy borage as an appetizer or snack, similar to chips and salsa.
- You can simply leave them on your counter in a dish with water until they are nice and crispy, then put them away in an airtight container for up to two months.
- You can place the leaves in a paper bag or envelope and put them away for up to two months before composting them. This is not recommended because of the potential for mold growth if it gets wet, which can be difficult to detect until it has spread throughout your plant.
Other things of interest about Borage
- Borage is a flowering herb that is native to the Mediterranean region
- The plant has hairy leaves and star-shaped blue flowers
- Borage is often used in salads and as an herb in soups
- The plant is also sometimes used to make a tea
- Borage is high in Vitamin C and other nutrients
- Borage is sometimes referred to as ”beebread”
- The plant was once used in ancient Greece and Rome to increase milk production in women
- In the Middle Ages, borage flowers were sometimes used as a coloring for foods
- Borage was first brought to the United States by Franciscan monks in California
Conclusion: Borage is easy to grow, so you should definitely try it in your garden or even in pots at home. You can either buy seeds or seedlings for this plant. The choice is yours! So go ahead and get started. Now that you know how to grow Borage, you can enjoy all its health benefits and deliciousness.