Planting Borage In A Herb Garden
Sage, rosemary and thyme are perennial staples of most herb garden areas, but don’t forget the annuals. A hardy annual, suited to all USDA hardiness zones, is borage. Borage, also called bugloss, is an herb, Borago officinalis, in the same family, Boraginaceae, as the Virginia cowslip and Virginia bluebell. Borage (Borago officinalis) is an easy-to-grow, blue-flowering herb garden plants that can be used for culinary and decorative purposes. Plant borage seeds during April and May, when the soil temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds in sunny areas in shallow rows spaced 12 inches apart. Cover seeds with about 1 centimeter of soil, and water until soil surface is moist. Do not attempt to transplant borage; it forms a long taproot and therefore does not transplant well. Thin seedlings as they begin to crowd one another until the plants are spaced about 15 inches apart.
Borage is a low-maintenance herb garden plant that doesn’t require much care. Water and thin seedlings regularly until the plants reach maturity. Water mature plants during periods of prolonged drought. Move potted borage indoors in autumn before the first frost. To prevent borage from self-seeding in the garden, pick its blue flowers regularly before they are able to set seed.
