Borage Seeds
$3.95
In stock
Borage is a beautiful flowering plant with a wide range of uses. Borage flowers and leaves are edible, the bees love the plant, and it can grow in most microclimates of Southern California. If you are not growing borage in your garden, you are missing out!
Product Information
Borage is a beautiful flowering plant with a wide range of uses. Borage flowers and leaves are edible, the bees love the plant, and it can grow in most microclimates of Southern California. If you are not growing this amazing plant in your garden, you are missing out!
Planting by Zones
Zones 9-10
- Borage grows best in the fall and the spring. Super hot temperatures of the summer will distress your plant. In Zones 9 and 10, you can start the seeds in the fall for blooms all winter and spring.
Zones 2-8
- Direct sow seeds in spring once the soil has warmed.
Planting Borage Seeds
- Seeds are best directly planted in the garden. To direct sow, plant seeds in debris-free, well-worked soil that has been deeply watered. Cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
- This plant prefers a full sun location. Seeds must remain moist to germinate evenly and quickly.
- Once the seedlings have germinated and have a first set of true leaves be sure to fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer.
- Space plants to at least 12″ apart.
Growing Borage
- Borage is incredibly easy to grow. It can be grown with little care in average to poor soils. Prune dead blooms to prolong the blooming period.
- Keep your plants weed-free by pulling any weeds that may compete with the crop.
- This plant easily re-seeds.
Succession Planting Borage
- Borage will bloom for long periods of time but are most spectacular when they are young. As your plants fade, you can replace them with new plantings. Because of this we recommend you plant new borage seeds every 14 days.
Growing Borage in Containers
- Borage can be grown in a container. Make sure your container is at least 10″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture.
Harvesting Borage
- Harvest flowers as it begins to flower. Dainty blue edible flowers add a touch of beauty and cucumber-like flavor to dishes. Blooms can be used as an herbal remedy or simply harvest flowers to enjoy dried or fresh. Be sure to leave some flowers for the pollinators too””butterflies and bees love the blooms!
Southern California Pro-tips
- In areas of Zones 9 and 10, borage is a very easy crop with a wide range of uses.
- Mulch heavily around your borage plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much. Compost added to the soil at the time of planting will help retain moisture in the soil during hot, dry weather.
- During our hottest months of August, September, and October, plants can suffer from the heat. During this time using shade cloth can help protect the plants from extreme heat.
Companion Flowers/Crops
- Borage is an herb that is also very ornamental when it goes to flower. Interplanting borage with your vegetable crops is a great way to utilize space and create a beautiful and edible garden. Interplant borage with crops like tomato, squash, and cucumber.
Additional Learning Resources
- New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
- Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
- Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information on garden pests at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.
Linda Adams –
How many flowers are baby blue? Grows two to three feet. It is a beautiful plant and draws bees from a quarter mile away. Great to plant near tomatoes or squash or cucumbers. The stalks are slightly prickly but can also be used as cut flowers. I have used the flowers as decorations on cupcakes and frozen in ice cubes or added to salads.