Borage is somewhat gangly, but its star-shaped, hanging flowers steal the show.
Borage is considered a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash, and strawberries.
Its even supposed to deter tomato hornworms and improve the flavor of tomatoes growing nearby.
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Note that borage can be mildly toxic both to people and pets.
Or, start seeds indoors three to four weeks before your area’s projected last frost.
Transplant seedlings into the garden once the soil has warmed, making sure toharden them offfirst.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Borage also can be grown in containers.
Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Thin seedlings when they are six to eight inches tall spaced from 18 to 24 inches apart.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
A support structure won’t be necessary.
Borage Care
Light
Borage will grow infull sun to partial shade.
Soil
Borage can thrive even in dry, nutrient-poor soils.
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However, it prefers a moderately moist, well-drained soil.
It also can tolerate a fairly wide soil pH range, though it likes slightly acidic soil.
Amending your soil with organic matter will help to give your plants a nutritional boost.
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It has no special humidity needs.
Fertilizer that’s high in phosphorous will aid in flower production.
Pollination
Borage self-pollinates and tends toattract beesand other pollinators to the garden.
They look similar to one another when theyre not in bloom.
However, their flowers can be used as a distinguishing feature.
Borage flowers are typically blue, while comfrey flowers are pink, purple, and white.
In addition, comfrey generally grows in clumps, while borage can be more sprawling.
The plants will start to decline if they are not deadheaded and are left to go to seed.
Staggering your planting times will give you a longer bloom period, along with a longer harvest time.
Simply pick off the leaves and flowers you need by hand or use garden scissors.
Use a container thats at least 12 inches deep with ample drainage holes.
An unglazed terra-cotta pot is ideal, because it will allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls.
This is a quick and inexpensive way to cultivate new plants.
Potting and Repotting Borage
A well-draining, all-purpose potting mix will do for container-grown borage.
To prevent the disease, confirm the plant has sufficient air circulation and that they are properly watered.
Borage will mature about eight weeks after planting.
Borage is an annual, completing its life cycle in one growing season.
It does, however, self-seed very readily, so it may appear to be perennial.
Borage plants don’t suffer from a lot of issues.
They may respond poorly to underwatering, overwatering, or temperature fluctuations.
Borago officinalis.North Carolina State Extension.
