When to Plant Borage in Brisbane, Subtropical 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.
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | S | S/T/D | S/T/D | T/D | - |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 15.6°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant
That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.
How to Grow Borage in Subtropical Australia
When to Plant
Sow Mar-Jun and Aug-Nov. Avoid midsummer heat.
- 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
Subtropical Growing Tips for Borage
Recommended Varieties
- Standard Borago officinalis
Key Challenges
- Summer heat causes rapid bolting and decline
- Self-sows so prolifically it can become weedy
Pro Tips
- Autumn sowing produces strongest plants
- Pull self-sown seedlings you don't want early
- Excellent companion for strawberries
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.
Common Borage Pests in Subtropical Zones
Organic prevention: Borage is more often a pest SOLUTION than a pest problem. It attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids on nearby crops.
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