Borage Seeds (Borago officinalis)

Borage is a Hardy Annual.

It grows fast, flowers hard, and sets seed in one season. It is famous for its "hairy" texture—the stems and leaves are covered in bristly silver hairs that glow in the sunlight.

The "Self-Seeder": Once you have Borage, you have it forever. It drops seeds readily, meaning fresh seedlings will pop up every spring without you lifting a finger. (Don't worry, they are easy to pull up if they grow where you don't want them!).

Borage has a long taproot and dislikes being moved, so sow it where you want it to grow.

Germination:
Sow directly outdoors from March to May. Poke a hole with your finger (2cm deep) and drop in a seed. Cover and water. Germination is rapid (7-10 days).

Where to Sow:
It thrives in **sun or partial shade**. It is not fussy about soil. Note that Borage gets big and can flop over under its own weight, so give it space (don't plant it right next to a delicate lettuce!).

Care While Growing:
Support: In rich soil, Borage grows tall (90cm). It helps to put a few short stakes around the base to stop it toppling over in the wind.

Borage is a functional plant that improves the productivity of your veg patch:

• 🍓 Strawberries: The Best Friend. Companion planting folklore says growing Borage near strawberries improves their flavour. More scientifically, it draws in so many bees that your strawberries get pollinated perfectly, leading to bigger fruit.
• 🍅 Tomatoes: The Pollinator Magnet. Tomatoes need buzz pollination. Planting Borage at the end of a tomato row ensures a constant stream of bumblebees to do the job.

Sow outdoors in spring. Flowers June to September.