How To Grow Borage
Borage is attractive to bumblebees that must buzz at a certain resonance to release a jet of pollen. Honey plant, borage refills with nectar every two-five minutes unlike most plants, and continues to yield nectar even in cold weather. Significantbumblebee plant. Buzz-pollinated.
Instructions
- Season: Cool season Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Direct sow in mid-to-late spring. Borage develops a delicate taproot, so it’s best direct sow where it is to grow. Borage does not transplant well. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21°C (70°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-15 days.
- Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep, and thi n to 60cm (24″) apart. Borage will get large and fill in spaces between plants.
- Borage is an un-fussy, self-sowing annual. To avoid self-sowing, the flower heads need to be picked regularly. Borage does best in full sun in well drained soil.
Notes
Companion Planting: Borage is an excellent all-around companion plant. Borage deters hornworm and cabbage worms and is particularly useful planted near tomatoes and strawberries. Very attractive to pollinators and excellent for the soil and compost. Borage is deer-proof.
For longer bloom periods, stagger the seeding dates. Borage will adapt to many soil types, but grows largest and flowers most prolifically in rich, fertile soils. The sugar in its nectar has been measured at 52% and produces a dark honey.