When to plant Borage in Manchester

Borago officinalis

Borage
Borage · Borago officinalis

A fast-growing annual herb with edible flowers and cucumber-flavoured leaves. It grows well in most UK gardens, self-seeds freely, and is best sown direct where it is to flower.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

Sow outdoors April to May, harvest May to October. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    3 Apr to 1 May Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds thinly where the plants are to grow, from 3rd April to 1st May. Cover them with a light layer of soil, about deep, and keep the soil just moist until germination.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    17 Apr to 29 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from 17th April to 29th May, thin them to one plant every . Keep the strongest plants and remove extras cleanly at soil level.

  3. 03

    Water New Plants

    17 Apr to 19 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Water plants in well after thinning, then keep the soil lightly moist through 17th April - 19th June while they establish. Once rooted, borage copes with moderate dryness, but flowers are better if the soil does not dry out completely.

  4. 04

    Pinch Out Flower Buds

    24 Apr to 10 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    If you are growing borage mainly for leaves, pinch out the first flower buds as they appear. This keeps plants producing fresh leaves for longer. If you want flowers, leave the buds to open.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves And Flowers

    29 May to 9 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pick young leaves and open flowers from 29th May to 9th October. Harvest often, taking small amounts from several plants so they keep producing fresh growth.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Borage to consider

Blaue Blume

A reliable blue-flowered borage with plenty of edible blooms and quick growth.

Bianca

A white-flowered form that gives the same edible leaves and flowers as the blue type.

Variegata

A decorative form with cream-edged leaves, grown as much for appearance as for use.

Borage guides by town

See how Borage timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.