Borage
Borage
August 29, 2024
Introduction
Is it an herb? It is an edible flower? It’s both! The leaves have a mild, cucumber-like flavor, while the flowers are edible and beautifully garnish really any dish. It’s a low maintenance plant so basically anyone can grow it. Grab your borage seeds and get ready to wow your friends with your famous raspberry lemonade topped with an adorable borage flower.
The What
Borage, or starflower, is an herb that is easy to grow and known for its striking blue and white star-shaped flowers. These flowers attract beneficial insects like bees, which help pollinate your garden. The plant's leaves and flowers are also edible and have a light cucumber flavor, perfect for adding a fresh touch to salads. Borage is often used as a companion plant to support the growth of tomatoes, strawberries, and squash by improving pollination and repelling certain pests like cabbage moths
The Why
Borage thrives in containers, making it ideal for urban gardens on balconies, rooftops, and terraces. Its ability to self-seed ensures it can fill in garden gaps and maintain soil health by reducing nutrient loss. Borage attracts aphids, which in turn lure beneficial insects like ladybugs that prey on these pests, helping to keep your garden balanced. It pairs well with arugula, basil, and chives, adding variety and function to your urban garden. Growing borage is a simple way to bring more greenery and biodiversity into your urban space
Sunlight Requirements
Borage needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors: Not suitable for indoor growing; best grown outdoors in pots or garden beds.
Water Requirements
Keep soil consistently moist. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially in full sun conditions. Mulching helps retain moisture.
Temperature Tolerance
Borage is a warm weather crop and prefers 60-75°F, ideally 65-70°F. Plant outdoors in early spring (April to May) and August in NYC zone 7b. Warm temperatures promote rapid growth and flowering.
Container Size
Indoors: Not ideal; Outdoors: 12-14" wide, 12-14" deep, 5 gallons
Best Soil Mix
Borage loves rich, well-draining potting soil with cow manure or organic compost.
How to Add Fertilizer
Apply balanced, water-soluble fertilizer 10-10-10 every 4-6 weeks. Organic options: compost, fish emulsion, bone meal. Regular fertilization encourages lush growth and prolific flowers.
Growth Duration
Borage is ready for harvest 60-75 days after planting, or when the flowers are fully open.
A borage plant typically lives for 4 to 6 months and will end its life cycle at the first frost.
How To Trim
Harvest flowers frequently to encourage more blooms. Regular harvesting helps maintain plant health and provides a continuous supply of star-shaped, edible flowers.
Growing Challenges
Wilting: Water regularly, avoid overwatering. Pests (Aphids): Release ladybugs or green lacewing larvae. Slow Growth: Use balanced fertilizer. Yellow Leaves: Ensure good drainage, moderate watering. Diseases (Powdery Mildew): Water less, use fungicide.
Interesting Facts
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