Borage is one of the simplest and most beautiful annual plants in the garden.
What is borage?
★ Borage is a member of the family Lycaenidae, including comfrey, sungrass, and lunggrass.
★ Borage is native to the Mediterranean region and is an annual plant with a large number of beautiful, star-shaped, bright blue flowers blooming from early summer to early autumn.
★ Slightly nodded flowers rise at the top of the stem, covered with wrinkled gray-green hairy leaves. (Don't keep animals, but love this furry plant)
★ The plant is about 30-90 cm tall and 22-60 cm wide.
★ It has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes since ancient times.
★ Borage is a great addition to flower beds and borders, safaris, herb gardens, vegetable gardens, containers or villa gardens.
★ If sow is allowed, this annual plant will sow itself without being invasive. It will remain in the garden year after year, and excess plants can be easily removed.
★ This fascinating herb does not require much care and is relatively free of pests and diseases, but it is toxic to dogs and cats.
Is borage edible?
★ The flowers of borage are also edible and have the taste of fresh cucumber. They add beauty and flavor to salads and can add sugar to desserts. Don't forget, they float beautifully on cocktails.
★ You can harvest fluffy leaves for salads and cold drinks!
Borage and wildlife
★ Borage provides a large amount of pollen and nectar, which becomes an attraction to bees, hummingbirds and butterflies, and bees feast on the flowers.
★ Borage also attracts a variety of beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps, hoverflies and grass dragonflies, which prey on garden pests.
Health benefits of borage
★ The leaves are rich in vitamin C, calcium, potassium and trace elements.
★ Borage oil has anti-inflammatory effects due to its rich content of omega-6 fatty acids.
★ However, borage should not be used in large doses or for a long time. It can be a source of health problems, such as liver problems, bleeding, or seizures.
Plant borage
★ Borage prefers fertile, well-drained soil and grows in sunny to slightly shady environments.
★ Carefully choose the place of planting, this plant does not like transplantation.
★ Prepare the soil in advance, add organic matter or compost.
★ Start sowing in indoor peat pots, or directly in the garden in early spring when the soil warms, or in containers.
★ The plant is propagated by seed, the seed is sown to a depth of about 1/2-1 cm, after sowing, it will germinate in 5 to 15 days and reach maturity after about 8 weeks.
★ Seedlings are spaced 145-60 cm apart, and when they grow to 15-20 cm, thinning is performed.
★ If planted in rows, the row spacing should be 45-60 cm.
★ Borage is drought tolerant, but needs regular watering before it can survive. Once the plants are mature, they can be watered when the soil has become a little dry.
★ Can be mulched with mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
★ No need to apply fertilizer.
★ Half the size of the plant is pruned in midsummer to promote the growth of new young leaves, and a bunch can be harvested in late summer.
A wonderful covering
★ Borage can increase trace minerals, enrich the soil for planting, and is a good material for mulching or composting.
★ They are best eaten fresh after harvest or stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
Insect and disease
Borage is not very affected by serious pests or diseases, probably pay attention
★ Insect infestation: Watch out for aphids, slugs, snails, and leaf pickers, which can damage leaves.
★ Disease: powdery mildew.
Companion planting
Borage is an excellent companion plant in the garden, attracting bees in the garden, adding trace elements to the soil, and helping any plant that goes with it. Borage can increase the resistance of plants to pests and diseases, thus helping any plant that mixes with it.
★ Cabbage: Borage stops cabbage worms.
★ Strawberry: It increases resistance to pests and diseases.
★ Pumpkin: Helps stop worms and improves the growth and taste of pumpkin.
★ Tomatoes: Blocks some tomato insect infestations and improves the taste and growth of tomatoes.
★ Borage acts as a trap for slugs and snails, stopping these garden pests from affecting the growth of your favorite vegetables.