Borage is a fantastic herb to grow in Aussie backyards. Not only does it boast stunning blue star-shaped flowers, but the leaves and flowers are also edible, adding a cucumber-like flavour to salads, cocktails, and even soups! Here’s your complete guide to cultivating this easy-to-grow favourite:
Planting Power
- Sunshine or Partial Shade: Borage is a flexible fella, thriving in both full sun and areas with a bit of afternoon shade.
- Soil Saviour: Borage isn’t fussy about soil types, but well-drained soil is best. If your soil is a bit on the heavy side, add some compost or aged manure to lighten it up.
- Seeding Success: You can sow borage seeds directly outdoors pretty much year-round, except for the hottest and frostiest periods. Scatter seeds lightly onto the soil surface and cover with a thin layer of sieved compost. Keep the soil moist until germination, which takes about 5-10 days.
- Spacing Secrets: Once seedlings have a few sets of leaves, thin them to around 30 centimetres apart to allow for good airflow and prevent overcrowding.
Water Wise
- Moderate Moisture: Borage is fairly drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering, especially during hot weather, will encourage lush growth and continuous flowering. Aim for a good soak once or twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Feeding Frenzy (Optional)
- Light Feeders: Borage isn’t a big feeder, and too much fertiliser can actually reduce flowering. If your soil is particularly poor, you can give your plants a light feed with a balanced organic fertiliser every few months during the growing season.
Harvesting Happiness
- Snip and Sip: You can start harvesting borage leaves and flowers as soon as they appear. Regularly picking the blooms will encourage further flower production throughout the season.
- The Art of the Cut: Use sharp snippers to harvest leaves and flowers. You can trim up to a third of the plant at a time without affecting overall growth.
Common Pests and Diseases
- Borage troubles are rare, but keep an eye out for these occasional visitors:
- Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease can appear in damp conditions, causing white spots on leaves and stems. Improve air circulation by spacing plants well and water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage. In severe cases, organic fungicide sprays may be necessary.
- Aphids: These tiny sap-sucking insects can cluster on the undersides of leaves. A strong jet of water from the hose can often dislodge them. For persistent infestations, organic insecticidal soap can be used.
- Slugs and Snails: These slimy munches love to feast on borage leaves. Handpick and remove them at night, or create traps using beer or commercial snail bait.
Bonus Tip
- Self-Seeding Surprise: Borage readily self-seeds, so you might find baby borage plants popping up around your garden the following season. Consider leaving a few to mature and add a touch of blue magic to your garden year after year!
By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the beauty and bounty of borage in your Australian garden. Happy growing!
