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🌿 Herbs

Borage: sowing, planting, growing and harvesting

Learn when to sow, plant, care for and harvest borage in your garden.

Borage

🌱 Borage : key growing facts

⭐ DifficultyEasy
☀️ LightFull sun to partial shade, depending on herb
💧 WateringModerate; less for Mediterranean herbs
🌍 SoilFree-draining; avoid excessive fertiliser
📏 Spacing20–40 cm (8–16 in)
🪴 Container growingYes; use pots with drainage holes

📅 Growing calendar

🌱 SowingSpring; some perennial herbs are planted
🪴 PlantingSpring or autumn in mild climates
🧺 HarvestPick leaves during active growth
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
● Sowing● Planting● Harvest

Indicative Northern Hemisphere temperate-climate calendar only. Adjust to local frost dates, climate, variety and growing conditions. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are approximately six months later.

🔎 Growing specifications

🌡️ Germination15–22 °C (59–72 °F); 7–21 days
📏 Sowing depthSurface sow to 1 cm (0.4 in), depending on seed
🧪 Preferred pH6.0–7.0
⏱️ Approx. growing timeAnnual or perennial, depending on herb
📦 Typical yieldHarvest small amounts repeatedly
🌍 Soil typeFree-draining; avoid excessive fertiliser

🧺 Harvest readiness & expected yield

When to pick

Harvest when the edible part reaches the desired size and quality. Handle carefully and store promptly using methods suited to this crop.

What to expect

Harvest small amounts repeatedly

Indicative only; variety, climate and care affect harvests.

🌿 How to grow successfully

🤝 Companion planting

Group herbs by similar water and sunlight needs rather than relying on pest-repelling folklore.

↔️ What to avoid

Do not combine drought-loving Mediterranean herbs with constantly wet, rich compost.

🐛 Pests and diseases

Check regularly for aphids, slugs and fungal disease.

🧤 Ongoing care

Pinch growing tips and avoid soggy compost.

🧺 Harvest and storage

Harvest on a dry morning; use fresh, dry in shade or freeze as appropriate.

🧑‍🌾 From sowing to harvest

Prepare the soil

Use free-draining soil or containers with drainage; adjust fertility to the herb species.

Sow or transplant

Sow fine seeds at the correct depth or plant rooted young plants after frost if tender.

What to monitor

Look for leggy growth, soggy roots and flower stalks that reduce leaf quality.

When and how to harvest

Harvest when the edible part reaches the desired size and quality. Handle carefully and store promptly using methods suited to this crop.

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