How to Grow Borage

Borage is grown for its pretty flowers. The flowers are edible and are used in salads and cake dressings, while bees love to forage on them! The leaves can be used as salad greens. The roots have the ability to draw trace elements deep from the soil making its leaves ideal for mulching purposes. It is an annual and readily reseeds once you have planted it in the garden.

Full sun

Regular watering

Well drained/organic matter

Suitable for all climatic zones

In bloom pluck tender leaves

Spring (after frost period)

How to grow borage in a garden

Step 1

Purchase Yates Borage seeds from your local nursery or Mitre10.

Step 2

Choose a sunny spot. Mix Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser with the soil. Sow directly.

Step 3

For sowing in large areas keep spacing between plants about 30 cm and between rows about 20 cm.

Step 4

The seeds generally sprout within 5 to 10 days.

Step 5

Continue watering until they are established.

Step 6

Feeding with Yates Thrive Natural Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food will encourage good foliage and flower production.

Step 7

Harvest after 12 weeks when flowers open.

How to grow borage in a pot

Step 1

Choose 300 mm deep pots of any shape. Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 2

Sow the seeds and cover them with a light layer of the potting mix.

Step 3

Position the pots in full sun.

Step 4

Water in well. Step 5: Ensure the potting mix is moist till the plants are established.

Step 5

Feed every 3 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Natural Liquid Plant Food.

Step 6

Harvest after 12 weeks when flowers open.

Harvesting

Continuous harvest at regular intervals encourages new growth.
Tender leaves can also be harvested for salads.

Yates varieties

Borage

$4.20

Growing tips

Borage do tolerate some shade, so if you do not have a sunny spot you can still grow them.
Initial growth may be damaged by snails and slugs. Protect them with Yates Blitzem Slug & Snail Baits.
Bees and other beneficial insects love to forage on borage flowers, so avoid using systemic chemicals.
Borage being annual tolerates some frost, but will eventually sprout in spring.