When to Plant Borage in Alice Springs — Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A hardy annual herb with stunning blue star-shaped flowers and cucumber-flavoured leaves. Excellent companion plant and pollinator attractor. Self-sows prolifically once established. Both flowers and young leaves are edible. One of the easiest herbs to grow in Australia.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 27.9°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
How to Grow Borage in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
When to Plant
Sow Mar-May (autumn) and Aug-Oct. Avoid summer extremes.
- Soil
- Any well-drained soil, even poor soils. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade. Flowers best in full sun.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 45cm between rows
- Watering
- Moderate watering. Drought tolerant once established. Overwatering causes lanky, floppy growth.
Companion plants: Tomato, Strawberry, Squash, Brassicas
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Borage
Recommended Varieties
- Standard Borago officinalis
Key Challenges
- Extreme heat wilts plants
- Needs supplementary water despite drought tolerance
Pro Tips
- Afternoon shade essential
- Mulch well
- Spring and autumn crops only
Harvesting Borage
When ready: Harvest young leaves before flowering for best flavour. Pick flowers when fully open - they should pop off easily.
How to harvest: Pick young tender leaves from top of plant. Pluck individual flowers by pinching stem behind flower. Older leaves become hairy and unpalatable.
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