Borage in Zone 5a & 5b
Borago officinalis
Yes, borage grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside May 10–May 17.
When to plant borage in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 4–Jul 11 (~55 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of borage in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 24–May 31
- DillMay 3–May 10
- RosemaryMay 24–May 31
- American GinsengMay 10–May 17
- AniseMay 10–May 17
- Anise HyssopMay 10–May 17
Borage is a fuzzy-leaved annual herb best known for its star-shaped blue flowers and mild, cucumber-like flavor. Both the young leaves and flowers are edible, and few plants pull in bees as reliably.
How borage fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Borage needs about 55 days from sowing to first harvest.
Borage planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | May 20–May 27 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 30–Jun 6 | Jul 24–Jul 31 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 15–May 22 | Jul 9–Jul 16 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Not usually | May 10–May 17 | Jul 4–Jul 11 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 19–Jun 26 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 4–Jun 11 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 25–Apr 1 | May 19–May 26 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 15–Feb 22 | Apr 11–Apr 18 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 26–Apr 2 |
Harvest dates are about 55 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for borage.
Where to buy borage seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's borage seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing borage" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Borage in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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