This guide answers when to plant borage zone 7 with timing worked out from USDA Zone 7 frost-date averages, not guesswork. Borage is the old-fashioned cottage-garden herb with star-shaped blue flowers, cucumber-flavoured leaves and a reputation as the best companion plant in the garden. Bees love it, and gardeners have grown it beside tomatoes and strawberries for generations. It is a hardy annual that self-sows so freely you may only need to plant it once.
This guide covers when to plant borage zone 7, how to sow it, what soil and spacing it needs, and how to use the flowers and leaves in the kitchen.
Zone 7 at a glance
Zone 7 covers areas where average annual minimum temperatures run 0 to 10°F. The average last spring frost falls in the Mar 15–Apr 1 range and the average first autumn frost in the Nov 1–15 range — these are USDA zone averages, not exact dates for any one garden, so check your local extension service before planting tender crops outside. Use the frost date calculator to work out dates for your own garden, and browse the planting calendar hub for the full Zone 7 year.
When to plant borage in Zone 7
| Step | Timing in Zone 7 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow outdoors | March to April, about 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost |
| Start indoors | March, if you prefer transplants |
| Second sowing | June to July for late flowers |
| Thin seedlings | When seedlings are a few inches tall |
| Harvest | May to October, picking flowers and young leaves |
The table above is the short answer. Borage is hardy, so sow it early. Direct sow in March to April, about 2 to 4 weeks before the average last frost range of Mar 15–Apr 1 — it tolerates light frost and grows fast in spring. A second sowing in June to July keeps flowers coming into autumn. The first frost in the Nov 1–15 range ends the season, but plants left to set seed will self-sow, and seedlings usually appear the following spring without any help. The Zone 7 March guide shows what else is happening in the garden in that month.
How to plant borage
Direct sow borage where it is to grow, since it has a taproot and dislikes transplanting. Sow seed about half an inch deep in March to April and thin seedlings to 12–18 inches apart once they are a few inches tall. Germination takes 7–14 days. If you start indoors, sow in individual pots in March and transplant carefully. One or two plants are usually enough for a family, because each plant grows large and bushy.
Give borage full sun — at least six hours of direct sun a day for full-sun crops, or morning sun with afternoon shade where part shade is listed. Prepare the bed by forking in compost and removing stones and weeds, and check the soil pH: borage prefers 6.0–7.0. Space plants 12–18 inches apart — the spacing in the table below — and sow seed at the depth on the packet, keeping the seedbed moist until germination, which takes 7–14 days.
| Fact | Range |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun |
| Days to germination | 7–14 |
| Days to maturity | 50–60 |
| Spacing | 12–18 inches |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Sowing method | direct sow |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
| Water needs | moderate |
Watering and feeding
Borage has moderate water needs: keep the soil moist until plants are established, then water only in dry spells. It is fairly drought-tolerant once it has grown its taproot, but regular water keeps the leaves tender and the flowers coming. Water at the base in the morning so leaves dry before night, and avoid waterlogging in heavy soil.
Companion plants and rotation
Good companions for borage include tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, cabbage. It is famous as a companion for strawberries and tomatoes, and its flowers bring in bees that pollinate the whole garden. Also see our guide to when to plant strawberries in Zone 7 — borage is one of the best neighbours a strawberry bed can have.
Use the companion planting finder to plan combinations for your whole bed.
Pests and problems
The common pests for borage are aphids, slugs, cutworms. It has very few problems in Zone 7: slugs may nibble young seedlings, so protect them until established, and aphids may gather on flower stems and can be washed off with water. Good air flow helps — do not crowd plants — and clearing away dead leaves and debris removes places where pests hide. Its hairy leaves put off most chewing pests. Check plants weekly, looking under leaves as well as on top, and clear away dead leaves and debris where pests hide.
Harvesting and storing
Pick flowers and young leaves from May to October, about 50–60 days after sowing. The blue star-shaped flowers are the prize: pick them in the morning, when they are fresh, and use them the same day in salads, drinks or as a garnish, or freeze them in ice cubes. Young leaves taste of cucumber and can be added to salads, though they are hairy, so most people use them cooked or in drinks. Leave some flowers to set seed if you want plants next year — they will self-sow where they fall.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant borage in Zone 7?
Direct sow in March to April, about 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, or start indoors in March. Work back from the average last frost range of Mar 15–Apr 1. These are zone averages, so check your local extension service for your area.
Will borage come back next year?
It is an annual, but it self-sows very freely. Leave some flowers to set seed and seedlings will appear the following spring — sometimes in places you did not expect, so thin or move them while they are small.
How long does borage take to grow?
About 50–60 days to maturity from sowing or transplanting, depending on variety and weather. Germination takes 7–14 days. Warm, sunny weather speeds growth; cold or cloudy weather slows it, so treat these as ranges, not exact dates.
What soil pH does borage need?
A pH of 6.0–7.0 is ideal. Test your soil before planting and amend it if needed — your local extension service can test a sample and advise on what to add.