Growing Borage, also Burrage, Bugloss

Borago officinalis : Boraginaceae / the borage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        S S S          
        T T T T        
        P P P P        

(Best months for growing Borage in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Use leaves before flowers appear, otherwise they will be 'hairy'. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Strawberry, tomatoes, zucchini/squash. Deters pests from many plants.

Your comments and tips

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24 Feb 11, Dominique Chanovre (Australia - temperate climate)
Borage is a dynamic accumulator, it is great at absorbing nutrients from the soil. So you pull up the plant, soak in water and make a tea which you use on your plants as a fertiliser. The flowers are also edible.
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09 Aug 11, Graham (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Very interesting Dominique. Do you know of any other uses for Borage?
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I have had wonderful success with Borage this year in melbourne. It survived a cold winter and has had the most amazing blue flowers. In conjunction with mustard i have had excellent bee activity for the last few months as we have entered spring now. As Borage grew quite big in my vege garden, i am hoping to only have one plat growing as a companion. I haven't used it for any eating yet, but i have read it is ok for salads.

- Shane Mcsweeney

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